^KV  OF  PRlNCETo^ 


LOGICAL  SC\A 


BV  3785  .C3  A3  1850 
Caughey,  James,  1810?-1891 
Methodism  in  earnest 


METHODISM  IN  EARNEST: 


BEING   THE 


HISTORY  OF  A  GREAT  REVIVAL 


IN   WHICH   TWENTY   THOUSAND    SOULS  WERE  JUSTIFIED,  AND 
TEN  THOUSAND   SANCTIFIED,  IN  ABOUT   SIX   YEARS, 

THROCGH   THE   rNSTRCMENTALlTT    OP 

REV.  JAMES  CAUGHEY; 


AN  ACCOUNT   OF  THOSE    MENTAL  AND    SPIRITUAL   EXERCISES    WHICH 
MADE  HDI    SO   EMINENT  A   REVIVALIST. 

SELECTED   AND    ARRANGED    FROM    "  CAUGHEY's    LETTERS,"   BY 

REV.    R.   W.    ALLEN, 

AND    EDITED    BT 

REV.    DANIEL    WISE,    A.M. 


•*  What  is  the  secret  philosophy  of  these  Revivals  >*' 
"  BLnee  work  !    KxEE  WORK  1 1    Knee  work  I ! !  " 

Caughey. 


%OCICAlSl>^ 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED    BY    CHARLES    H.    PEIRCE. 

1850. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress, 

in  the  year  1850, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of 

Massachusetts. 


STEBEOTTPED    AND    PRINTED    BT 

asoBas  0.  rand  and  compai 


PREFACE 


In  preparing  these  pages  for  the  use  of  the  American 
public,  the  Editor  has  been  animated  by  a  fixed  belief  that 
their  pubUcation  would  cultivate  that  genuine  and  earnest 
piety  which  is  at  once  the  characteristic  and  necessity  of 
Methodism.  His  task  has  not  been  performed  without 
difficulty,  in  consequence  of  the  descriptions  of  Mr. 
Caughey's  revival  movements  being  blended  with  other 
matter  in  the  "  Letters  "  from  which  this  compilation  is 
made.  Those  Letters  comprise  five  volumes,  and  embrace 
a  great  variety  of  topics.  To  obtain  a  consecutive  narrative 
of  his  revival  experiences  and  operations,  parts  and  frag- 
ments of  his  Letters  have  been  blended  together  as  harmo- 
niously as  possible.  But  after  exerting  the  greatest  skill, 
the  Editor  is  fully  aware  that  the  flow  of  the  narrative  is 
not  as  smooth  and  even  as  he  would  love  to  have  it.  The 
abrupt  style  of  Mr.  C.  also  increased  the  difficulty.  But 
the  work  is  done  :  and  imperfect  as  it  may  be  found  to  be 
by  the  lynx-eyed,  fault-himting  critic,  it  is  still  our  unaltera- 
ble conviction,  that  God  will  bless  it  to  the  good  of  souls. 


IV  CONTENTS. 

If  this  sublime  end  be  reached,  we  care  very  little  for  tht 
verdict  of  cold-hearted  criticism. 

For  the  sentiments  contained  in  the  remarks  -which  intro- 
duce the  chapters,  the  Editor  is  alone  responsible.  His  aim 
has  been  to  say  just  as  little  as  was  consistent  with  the 
elucidation  of  the  narrative.  It  is  also  proper  to  inform  the 
reader  that  Rev.  Mr.  Caughey  cordially  approves  of  the 
issue  of  this  book,  although  he  has  taken  no  part  in  the 
labor  of  its  preparation. 

Should  this  work  meet  with  general  acceptance,  it  is  not 
impossible  that  another  volume  of  selections  from  the  same 
source  may  hereafter  be  presented  to  the  American 
public. 

The  Editor. 

Fall  Riveh,  Mass.,  January,  1850. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE  INTBODUCTORY. 

Human  experiences  —  Their  uses —  Sin  of  slighting  them  —  A  great  religious 
fact — Sympathy  of  a  pious  mind  necessary  —  The  instrument  —  Mr. 
Caughey's  early  history — Description  of  Mr.  Caughey  —  The  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  forming  his  revival  character, 9 

CHAPTER    II. 

THE   ANOINTING. 

Christ  and  his  apostles  —  Paul  —  Luther  —  Wesley  —  Their  spiritual  baptisms 

—  Mr.  Caughey's  anointing  —  Remarks  of  Dr.  Adam  Clarke  —  Their  influ- 
ence on  Mr.  Caughev's  mind  —  The  solemn  resolutions  —  The  duration  of  a 
deep  conviction  —  The  source  of  instrumental  sufficiency  —  Reflection  on 
the  effect  of  Dr.  Clarke's  thought  —  Praise  to  God  —  The  beginning  of  the 
Spirit's  work  in  preparing  the  instrument, 13 

CHAPTER    III. 

THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE    CONFLICT. 

Necessity  of  sympathy  between  God  and  his  instruments  —  The  dead  church 

—  The  preacher's  concern  —  A  series  of  meetmgs  —  A  defeat  —  Analysis  of 
its  causes  —  Influence  of  a  minister  on  his  brethren  —  The  great  lesson  — 
The  resolution  —  Revival  sermons  prepared  —  The  common -place  book  — 
Good  ad\'ice  —  Consecration  of  the  sermon  —  Ordinary  services —  The  new 
station  —  Preparations  for  a  spiritual  battle  —  Cromwell's  advice  to  his  sol- 
diers—  Sources  of  confidence  —  Difficulties  foreseen  but  not  feared  —  The 
battle  begun  —  A  nine  weeks'  conflict  —  A  glorious  victory  —  Uses  of  vic- 
tory—  Treatment  of  converts  —  Mr.  Caughey's  reflections  on  the  failure  of 
revival  operations  —  Every  preacher  ought  to  be  a  revivalist  —  The  mental 
conflicts  of  preachers, 18 

CHAPTER    IV. 

THE  TEST  OF   REVIVAL  PRINCIPLES. 

God's  word  has  been  long  tested  —  The  basis  of  Mr.  Caughey's  movements  — 
The  letter  to  a  friend  —  The  protracted  meeting —  The  spirit  of  the  laborers 
a*  y 


VI  CONTENTS. 

—  Character  of  the  people  —  Example  of  dead  ministers  avoided  —  Meetings 
night  and  day  —  The  resistance  —  The  stir  —  Inquiry  —  Increasing  congre- 
gations —  Truth  and  its  majesty  —  Pure- motives  —  Expectations  —  Faithful 
preaching  —  Calm  reliance  on  the  truth  —  Fulness  of  Christ  declared  —  No 
time-servers  in  the  way  of  success — A  touching  anecdote  —  Great  resist- 
ance among  sinners  —  Increased  boldness  in  the  church  —  Confidence  in  the 
truth  displayed  —  The  extremity — Pompey's  saying — The  minister  and 
the  blacksmith —  A  nail  in  a  sure  place —  The  triumph —  Uncommon  ef- 
forts necessary  —  The  motto  of  the  church, 29 

CHAPTER    V. 

THE   CALL,  OF   THE   SPIRIT. 

An  affecting  fact  —  Opinion  of  the  reader  —  Good  men  have  had  faith  in  di- 
vine impressions  —  Scriptural  authority  —  Fruits  are  the  tests  of  impres- 
sions —  Objections  met —  Feeble  instrumentalities  —  Intention  to  marry  — 
Mental  distress  —  A  struggle  —  Light  from  heaven  —  The  summons  to  a 
special  work  —  Great  peace —  The  request —  Its  success  —  Serious  consid- 
eration —  Permanency  of  Mr.  Caughey's  impressions  —  Providence  Path  — 
Careful  analysis  of  mental  operations  —  Faith  in  God,        ...        42 

CHAPTER    VI. 

FIRST   FRUITS. 

Leaving  home  —  Passage  to  St.  John's  —  The  deserted  village  —  Sore  trials 

—  Counsels  of  a  Scotch  divine  — An  old  tannery —  Victory —  A  chapel 
built  —  Hospitality  —  Montreal  —  Reminiscences  —  Signs  of  revival  —  A 
discordant  church  —  Passage  to  Quebec  —  Reflections  on  a  poor  pilot  and 
a  detention  —  Extract  —  Reflections  on  a  deceitful  light-ship  —  Reception 
at  Quebec  —  Old  friends  —  A  spiritual  battle  —  Satan  overthroAvn  —  Glo- 
rious revival  —  The  trifler  saved  —  A  military  officer  afraid  of  God's  sol- 
diers —  A  man  of  business  saved  —  Results  —  The  song  of  a  holy  woman,  53 

CHAPTER    VII. 

REVIVAL  SCENES   IN    LOWER   CANADA. 

Departure  from  Quebec  —  Attachment  of  the  people  —  Review  of  labors  in 
Quebec  —  Inquest  on  a  disinterred  woman — A  drunkard's  death  —  Facts 

—  The  Vermont  legislator's  argument  —  An  incident  at  a  temperance  lecture 

—  St.  Ann's  —  A  scene  of  beauty —  An  accident —  A  drunken  companion  — 
Another  accident — Three  Rivers  —  An  aged  minister  —  Anecdote  of  Wes- 
ley —  A  hazardous  ride  —  Arrival  at  Montreal  —  The  power  of  God  —  A 
house  of  mourning —  A  backslider's  reformation  —  The  fire  —  Person  burned 
to  death  —  An  awful  event  —  The  backslider's  end— St.  John's — Review 
of  labors  in  Montreal  —  A  liberal  offier  declined  —  Restitution  preached  — 
Effects  — The  conscientious  barber— The  bank  note  — The  clerk  and  the 
false  entry—  Mr.  Caughey  in  New  York  —  Summary  of  results  —  Five  hun- 
dred evidences  of  the  reality  of  his  impressions, 66 


CONTENTS.  m 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

HALIFAX,  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

Editorial  remarks — Mr.  Caughey  at  Halifax — His  visit  to  Providence  Path 

—  Strength  of  tlie  impression — The  trip  from  Whitehall  to  Burlington  — 
Arrival  at  Quebec — Conscientious  scruples  —  The  profitable  detention  — 
The  fulls  of  Montmorency  —  The  Natural  steps  —  The  plains  of  Abraham  — 
Quebec  defences  —  Anecdote  of  a  boy  —  Visit  to  the  Indians  —  A  Canadian 
thun^'.er  storm  —  Reflections  —  Arrival  at  Halifax  —  Detention  —  The  voyage 
from  Quebec  to  Halifax  described —  The  gift  of  Christian  affection  —  The 
river  St.  Lawrence  —  The  gulf — A  wreck — The  drunken  soldiers  —  Pas- 
sengers —  Anecdote  —  The  mirage  —  Prince  Edward's  Island  —  Pictou  —  A 
ride  —  Kind  attentions  —  A  home — The  lady's  apology — The  Theatre 
Koyal   temperance   meeting   described  —  Prince   William's    lodge  —  Ruins 

—  The  people  of  God  in  Halifax —  Temperance  meeting  —  Anecdote,        85 

CHAPTER    IX. 

THE   ATLANTIC   VOYAGE. 

Introductory  remarks  —  Review  of  labors  in  Halifax  —  A  bleak  morning  —  A 
storm  —  Its  uses  —  Amusing  description  of  life  on  shipboard  in  a  storm  — 
Conversation  with  a  sceptic — The  sceptic  confounded  —  An  incident  —  A 
Sabbath  at  sea —  The  sermon  —  The  restless  sea  —  Land  —  Arrival  at  Liv- 
erpool,    109 

CHAPTER    X. 

THE   DENOUEMENT. 

Editorial  remarks  —  Mr.  Caughey's  sense  of  loneliness  —  Trials  —  Transparen- 
cy of  his  character  —  Visits  Mancnester  —  Dr.  Bunting's  sermon  —  Mr,  Mc- 
Lean—  Reflections — Robert  Newton  —  Introduction  to  the  conference  — 
The  voyage  to  Dublin  —  Depression  —  New  acquaintances  —  Invitation  to 
preach  —  The  first  sermon  in  Dublin  —  Surprise  —  Presence  of  the  Spirit  — 
Four  weeks  in  Dublin  —  Converts  —  Temptations  —  Comforts  —  Abasements 

—  Rev.  T.  Waugh  —  More  temptation  —  Their  narration  valuable  —  Resist- 
ance to  Satan  —  Death  of  a  class-leader  —  A  weeping  congregation  —  A  sea- 
son of  power  —  The  last  public  labors  of  a  good  man  —  Hopes  of  heaven  — 
The  room  where  Summerfield  was  converted  —  An  awful  time  —  A  remark- 
able conversion  in  answer  to  prayer  — A  visit  to  Dublin  Castle—  O'Connell 

—  A  crowd  —  Methodist  chapels  in  Dublin —  A  watch-night  —  Farewell  ser- 
mon—  Intense  excitement  —  Results  of  his  labors  in  Dublin  —  Letter  of  R. 
Craig,  Esq.,  on  the  Dublin  revival, 121 

CHAPTER   XI. 

TEN  -SVKEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

Editorial  remarks  —  Journey  to  Limerick  — First  success  — A  letter  from 
Dublin  containing  a  beautiful  illustration  of  divine  mercy  —  A  -walk  on  the 
banks  of  the  Shannon  —  A  hurricane  —  A  fearful  explosion—  Reflections  — 


Vm  CONTENTS. 

A  refreshing  season  — A  hymn— The  flag  — Work  of  God  in  Limerick — 
A  powerful  conversion  —  The  circular — Historical  sketch  of  Limerick  — 
Kuins  of  the  old  wall  —  A  spiritual  siege  —  An  ancient  cathedral  —  A  curl 
ous  inscription  — An  old  Methodist  chapel  —  Extract  from  Wesley  —  Places 
of  worship  in  Limerick  —  Reflections  on  high  church  notions  —  Aspect  of 
the  city  —  The  people  of  Limerick  —  Visiting  from  house  to  house  —  Revival 
fruits  —  Leaves  Limerick  for  Cork  —  The  work  in  Limerick  —  Public  break- 
fast in  Limerick  —  A  testimonial  of  aff"ection  —  The  watch  —  Mr.  Mathews's 
address  —  Acquaintances  in  Limerick, 148 

CHAPTER   XII. 

VISIT  TO   CORK. 

Editorial  remarks  —  Praj'er  for  the  city— Opening  sermons— The  praying 
man  tempted  —  The  chapel  in  Cork  described — A  touching  scene — The 
discharged  soldier  —  His  arrival  home  —  The  vow  of  self-dedication  —  Its 
glorious  consequences  —  The  leaders'  meeting  —  The  small  class  —  The  se- 
cret of  a  class-leader's  success  —  The  local  preacher  rebuked —  How  to  keep 
penitent  sinners  from  falling  back  —  Six  reasons  for  giving  them  no  rest  — 
A  private  watch-night— The  revival  in  Cork  —  Extract  —  Description  of 
Cork  —  Irish  hospitality  at  Hayfield— Communion  with  God  — Revival  — 
Public  buildings  in  Cork  —  Population  —  The  tomb  of  Boardman  —  Board- 
man's  American  labors—  His  death  —  His  epitaph  — A  remarkable  incident 
in  his  life  —  A  visit  to  Blarney  Castle  —  Blarney  Stone,  and  its  legend  — 
The  revival  in  Cork, 171 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

EXrERIENCES   AND    INCIDENTS   IN    CORK    AND   BANDON. 

State  of  the  work  in  Cork-  Young  converts  —  A  mistake  —  Intended  visit  to 
Bandon  —  Temperance  labors  in  Cork  —  Necessity  of  action  on  temperance 

—  Must  not  be  made  a  hobby  —  Mr.  Caughey  is  visited  by  Father  Mathew 

—  Remarks  on  Mr.  M.  —  ComTnencement  of  revival  labors  in  Bandon  — 
Discouragements  — Remarkable  instance  of  restitution  — A  still  more  strik- 
ing case  —  Temptation  —  The  work  in  Bandon  —  Free  communings  with  a 
friend  —  Mental  struggles  —  The  rage  of  devils  follows  faithful  ministers  — 
Luther  to  Melancthon  —  Calumny  and  detraction  —  Deceptive  friendships 

—  Misanthropy  —  Professional  friendship  —  A  lesson  in  an  incident  — Rela- 
tion of  living  near  to  God  and  cheerfulness  —  Trouble  needful  —  Tempera- 
ment —  The  clock  —  Waiting  for  God  —  The  conflict  in  Bandon  —  Accident 
and  detention  —  Anxiety  —  Close  of  his  labors  in  Ireland,        .        .        194 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

MR.   CAUGHEY  IN  ENGLAND. 

Editorial  remarks  —  Departure  from  Cork  —  View  of  the  coast  of  Ireland  — 
The  Ocean  Storm,  a  poem  —  The  captive  bird  —  The  incident  spiritualized 

—  Lands  at  Liverpool  —  Providential  openings  —  Mental  struggles  —  His 


CONTENTS.  IX 

commission  opened — Powerful  prayer  meeting — Special  meetings  begun 

—  Young  converts  —  Temptation  and  prayer —  A  stranger  and  his  dream  — 
Friends  and  foes  —  The  deputation  —  Four  sinners  crying  for  mercy  — 
Hoarseness  —  The  watch-night  —  Renewal  of  the  covenant  —  Twelve  sinners 
converted — Success  and  tribulation  —  Humility,       ....        218 

CHAPTER    XV. 

ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES   OF   REVIVALS. 

Objections  to  revival  efforts  stated  and  answered  —  Valuable  idea  of  a  de- 
ceased minister —  Sinners  need  feeling,  not  light  —  Further  objections  con- 
sidered—  The  state  of  Christian  congregations  described — How  to  reach 
them — Objection  to  earnest  preaching  answered  —  The  archer  —  How  to 
aid  the  minister — Objection  to  sharp  and  pointed  language  in  the  pulpit 
considered  —  Terror  objected  to  —  The  earthquake  nights  —  Judgment  and 
passions  must  be  both  reached  —  The  minister  is  the  best  judge  of  the  peo- 
ple's state  —  The  wicked  physician  —  How  he  was  saved  —  The  aged  minis- 
ter and  the  young  sinner  —  Stem  and  soft  preaching  —  Poetical  extract  — 
Feeling  must  be  appealed  to — The  irregular  apple-tree  —  Controversy  de- 
clined—  The  work  in  Liverpool  —  Prejudice  —  Opposition  to  revivals  uni- 
versal—  The  unconverted  lawyer  —  A  classical  story  —  The  old  saint's 
prayer  and  the  sinner's  protest  —  Blasphemy  charged  on  revival  preaching 

—  Theology  studied  in  hell  —  The  duke  of  Saxony  and  the  praying  bishop 

—  The  trooper  and  the  minister  —  Feelings  of  a  lady,       .        .        .        232 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

INQUIRIES,  ANECDOTES,   AND    CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

On  describing  character  —  Anecdote  —  Personalities  —  Anecdote  —  Vulgarity 

—  Anecdotes  —  A  sinner's  mistake  —  The  merchant's  portrait  —  A  lady's 
anger  —  A  ludicrous  fact  —  The  offended  sinner  urged  to  yield  to  God  —  A 
searching  preacher  —  An  objection  —  Saying  of  Eupolis  —  God  warns  before 
he  strikes  —  Powerful  appeals  —  Various  inquiries  answered  —  The  secret 
of  success  —  An  old  divine  quoted  —  Progress  of  the  work  in  Liverpool  — 
The  poor  man  and  his  prayer  —  The  Welsh  Methodists  —  Display  of  divine 
power  —  The  Welsh  minister's  prayer  —  Meetings  in  Brunswick  chapel  — 
Opinions  of  the  revival  —  Faithful  minister  —  Results  —  Temperance  lec- 
tures in  Liverpool  —  Case  of  a  nervous  person  —  Lord  Nelson  and  the  world 

—  Confessions  of  a  worldling  —  Mr.  Wesley  on  nervousness  —  Amusements 

—  Exercise  —  Sin  of  idleness  —  Closing  scenes  in  Liverpool  —  Missionary 
meetings — Wesleyan  chapels  in  Liverpool  —  An  accomplished  organist  — 
Results  in  Liverpool  —  The  tea-meeting  —  Closing  addresses  —  Pleasant 
homes,  , 253 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

GREAT   REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

Arrival  at  Leeds  —  Greetings  —  Meetings  in  Oxford  Street  chapel —  Results  — 
Plans  —  St.  Peter's  chapel  —  Great  success  —  The  Old  chapel  —  Anecdote 


X  CONTENTS. 

by  Charles  "Wesley — Reminiscences  of  the  old  Leeds  chapel  —  Boardman 
and  Pilmoor — Mr.  Asbury's  labors  —  His  journal  —  The  band-meeting  — 
Sanctifying  power  —  Relation  of  pulpit  to  sanctification —  Wesley  chapel  — 
Rev.  J.  Everett  —  Souls  saved —  Opinion  of  a  person  who  denounced  the 
church  —  Beauty  of  holiness  —  Hope  —  The  work  in  Leeds  —  Its  subjects  — 
Brunswick  chapel  —  Success  —  Classification  of  the  subjects  of  the  work  — 
Results  in  Brunswick  chapel  —  Hospitality  —  Oxford  Place  chapel  —  Con- 
versions,  280 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE   OFFENDED   HJSAKEB. 

The  offended  hearer  —  The  artist  and  the  portrait  —  Various  insinuations  an- 
swered —  Painted  fire  —  The  review  —  Describing  character  — •  Skill  needful 

—  A  threat  —  Anecdote  —  The  gospel  mirror  —  Anecdote  —  The  western 
blacksmith  —  The  Irish  laborer  •—  A  difierence  —  Cautions  —  Extract  —  The 
wilful  philosopher  —  Hell  enough  in  this  life  —  Hell  the  centre  of  gravity  to 
a  sinner  —  The  wrath  of  man — Good  wishes  —  Chinese  painters  —  Invita- 
tions —  Sign  of  an  awakened  mind  —  Chance  —  Apelles  —  Turning  to  God 

—  A  mistake  corrected  —  Saying  of  Origen  —  Skill  of  an  ancient  general  — 
Too  late  —  Anecdote, 296 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

RAMBLES.  AROUND  LEEDS. 

Visit  to  Cross  Hall  —  Reminiscences  —  Mrs.  Fletcher's  trials  of  faith  —  Batley 
church  —  John  Nelson's  tomb  —  His  study — Sammy  Hicks's  home  —  Sam- 
my's daughter —  The  old  clock  —  Sammy's  anvil  and  shop  —  Further  labors 
in  Leeds  —  Large  audiences  —  Vocal  power  —  The  people  of  Leeds  and  their 
ministers  —  Great  results  —  St.  Peter's  chapel —  Large  fruit  —  The  poor  — 
Noisy  meetings  —  Woodhouse  Moor  —  Farewell  sermons  —  Converts  —  Their 
classification  —  Unconverted  persons  in  the  church  —  A  contrast  —  English 
travellers  in  America  —  Injustice  —  Why  unconverted  persons  are  in  a 
church  —  Influence  of  revivals  —  Ministerial  neglect — Perpetual  revival 
possible  —  Methodism  is  revivalism  —  An  anti-revival  Methodist  a  phenom- 
enon —  Like  people  like  priest  —  Official  members  —  A  church  reminiscence 

—  Astonishing  revival  —  Extract  —  Entire  sanctification  in  Leeds — Con- 
cluding remarks, 811 

CHAPTER    XX. 

GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

Opening  efforts  in  Hull— A  sore  trial  — Humblings  of  soul  —  Rev.  William 
Illingworth  —  Encouragement — Gehazi  and  his  master's  staff — The  Holy 
Spirit  —  Praj'-er  succeeded  by  power —  An  army  of  saved  souls  —  Kingston 
chapel  —  Fears  —  A  watchword  —  A  victory  —  Co-laborers  —  Hull  west 
circuit  —  Offended  hearers  —  An  effectual  sermon  —  Literary  labors  —  Re- 
vivals his  great  object  —  The  revival  spreads  —  Large  congregations  —  An 
awful  season  —  A  pentecost  —  Sinners  flying  before  God's  power— Such 


CONTENTS.  XI 

manifestations  rare  —  Cases  of  conversion  in  Hull  —  The  aged  backslider 
and  his  dream  —  An  affecting  letter  describing  the  remarkable  conversion 
of  an  infidel—  A  deeply  affecting  death  —  Another  letter  describing  a  hap- 
py death  —  Converts*  meeting  in  Hull  —  Sanctification  —  Cases  of  restitution 

—  Hostility  to  Mr.  C.'s  labors— Letter  from  Bishop  Hedding  —  Great 
Thornton  Street  chapel  — The  tempted  old  man  — English  homes  — English 
hoarfrost, 332 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS  OF   THE   HULL    REVIVAL. 

Work  of  God  increases  in  Hull  —  Hull  newspapers  oppose  the  work  —  Impu- 
dent letters  —  Saying  of  a  judge  —  The  terror  of  sinners  —  Silent  prayer  — 
A  spiritual  tempest  in  Great  Thornton  Street  chapel  —  An  affecting  letter— 
A  painful  but  triumphant  death — Sanctification  —  The  secret  joy  —  Birth^ 
month  —  Private  watch-night — Advance  of  the  revival —  Four  hundred  new 
converts-  -  Temperance  lecture  —  The  conscience -stricken  Quaker —  Great 
excitement —  Use  of  wine  needless  —  Moral  power  of  tee-totalism  —  King- 
ston chapel  —  A  majestic  scene  —  Closing  scenes  in  Hull —  Crowded  houses 

—  Extent  of  the  revival  —  Twenty-three  hundred  converts  — Hull  ministers 

—  Hospitality —  A  flying  visit  to  Leeds  —  Triumphant  death  of  an  old  friend 

—  Remarkable  dream  —  False  reports  contradicted  —  A  delightful  Sabbath 
— Return  to  Hull—  A  spiritual  child  —  Visit  to  Welton  Vale  —  Letter  from 
Hull, 357 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

DISPLAYS   OF   DIVINE   GLORY   IN    SHEFFIELD. 

Brief  visit  to  Huddersfield  —  Sheffield  labors  begun  —  A  godly  noise  —  Cour- 
ageous leaders  —  Reaction  —  Return  of  energy — An  Ebenezer  indeed  — 
Report  of  the  revival  —  Approving  letter  from  Hull  —  Dr.  Adler  —  Grandeur 
of  the  Sheffield  revival  —  Great  results  in  Carver  Street  chapel  —  Brunswick 
chapel —  A  backslider's  agony —  A  young  man  awakened  through  a  dream 

—  Restitution  —  Confessions  —  Roman  Catholic  frightened  —  Crowded  tem- 
perance lecture  —  Marvellous  excitement  —  Extraordinary  effusion  of  the 
Spirit —  The  poet  Montgomery  dines  with  Mr.  Caughey  —  Rain  in  answer 
to  prayer  —  Change  of  residence  —  Trip  to  Norton —  Shirley  House  —  Suc- 
cess,       383 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

CONCLUDING  INCIDENTS  IN   SHEFFIELD. 

Convert**  meeting  at  Brunswick  chapel  —  Wonderful  character  of  the  revival 

—  Norfolk  Street  chapel  —  Great  work  of  sanctification  —  Revival  in  a  Sun- 
day school  —  Closing  labors  in  Sheffield —  Meeting  with  the  leaders  —  Per- 
manency of  the  Sheffield  revival, 406 


XU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XXIV.i 

CLOSE  OF  5IR.   CAUGHEY'S  LABORS  IN  ENGLAND, 

Mr.  Caughey's  second  tour  on  the  continent  —  Return  to  England  —  Hudders- 
field  —  The  converted  dummy  —  Repose  —  York  revival  —  Various  revivals 
noticed  —  Birmingham  — Nottingham  —  Lincoln —  Sunderland  —  Gateshead 

—  Scarborough  —  Various  places  visited — Intention  to  return  to  America 

—  Review  of  his  labors  in  England,      . 418 

CHAPTER   XXV. 

THE  VOYAGE  HOME. 

Incidents  of  the  voyage  —  Arrival  in  New  York  —  Visit  to  Bishop  Hedding  — 
,     Subsequent  labors, 429 


APPENDIX, .       .       .       .       445 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE    INTRODUCTORY. 

The  Experiences  of  human  life,  are  God's  teachers.  He 
employs  them  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  to  warn  the  unwary, 
to  guide  the  inquiring,  to  give  a  visible  and  practical  en- 
forcement to  the  precepts  of  revelation.  Hence  the  miseries 
of  the  vicious,  teach  the  fearful  nature  of  sin.  The  serenity 
and  comfort  of  a  true  Christian,  exhibit  the  reality  and  power 
of  faith  in  Christ.  The  achievements  of  individual  minds, 
also,  teach  us  what  vast  powers  lie  hid  in  the  human  soul  : 
they  urge  the  observer  to  action.  Well  and  beautifully  is 
this  thought  expressed  in  Longfellow's  admirable  "  Psalm  of 
Life:"— 

'•  Lives  of  great  men,  all  remind  us, 

We  can  make  our  lives  sublime  ; 
And,  departing,  leave  behind  us, 

Foot  prints  on  the  sands  of  time. 

Foot-prints,  that  perhaps  another, 

Sailing  o'er  life's  solemn  main, 
A  forloi-n  and  shipwrecked  brother, 

Seeing,  shall  take  heart  again." 

If  these  remarks  are  truths,  then  he  who  turns  away  his 
mind  from  the  study  of  a  great  fact^  \s>  a  sinner.  Lessons 
may  be  written  upon  it,  influences  may  be  deposited  witliin 
it,  which,  if  studied  and  felt,  would  change  the  whole  current 
of  his  being.     A  wilful  blindness  to  its  teachings,  may  prove 


10  THE   INTRODUCTORY* 

the  sealing  of  his  eyes  in  perpetual  darkness.  Every  great 
fact,  therefore,  and  especially  every  great  religious  fact, 
should  be  studied  well  and  thoroughly  by  every  man  who 
wishes  to  do  his  duty. 

It  will  be  admitted,  that  the  conversion  of  twenty 
THOUSAND  SOULS  IN  ABOUT  SIX  YEARS,  chiefly  under  the  la- 
bors of  one  man,  is  a  great  religious  fact !  It  is  more  than 
great !  It  is  marvellous,  startling,  sublime  !  It  is  eminently 
suggestive,  too.  It  prompts  the  questions  :  How  was  it  done  ? 
What  were  its  processes  ?  May  other  men  be  equally 
successful  ? 

Who  can  turn  aside  from  such  a  fact  as  this  ?  It  is  a 
sublimer  object  than  the  burning  bush,  whose  mystic,  uncon- 
suming  fire  held  the  outlawed  shepherd  in  such  wrapt  atten- 
tion. That  was  God  in  an  unconscious  tree ;  this  exhibits 
Him  working  "miracles  of  love"  through  a  conscious,  willing 
agent !  Where  is  the  Ckristian  heart  that  can  refuse  to  be- 
hold, to  admire,  to  examine  it  ?  Where  is  the  minister  of 
Jesus  w^ho  can  hear  it  mentioned,  and  be  unmoved  ?  Impos- 
sible !  If  the  spirit  of  Christ  be  in  us,  we  must  desire  to  trace 
the  workings  of  God's  hand  in  this  majestic  fact.  How  did 
God  prepare  the  instrument  ?  How  did  Providence 
prepare  the  way,  and  open  so  effectual  a  door  for  the  ap- 
pointed laborer  ?  And  what  encouragement  does  the  won- 
derful success  of  the  instrument  in  producing  this  fact,  afford 
to  other  ministers  ?  May  they  hope  for  hke  victories  through 
their  own  labors  ?  The  following  pages  will  solve  these  vital 
and  interesting  questions. 

The  man  who  has  been  the  successful  laborer  in  the  con- 
version of  this  vast  multitude  of  souls,  is  the  Rev.  James 
Caughey,  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  this  country  in 
his  youth,  and  was  converted  to  God  some  nineteen  years 
since.     Two  years  after  his  conversion,  he  joined  the  Troy 


THE   INTRODUCTORY.  11 

Annual  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
was  ordained  a  Deacon  in  1834.  At  first  he  was  not  distin- 
guished for  usefulness  above  many  of  his  brethren ;  but  sub- 
sequently he  became  the  subject  of  some  very  extraordinary 
spiritual  exercises ;  which,  being  submitted  to  in  the  sim- 
plicity and  docility  of  a  child-like  spirit,  resulted  in  a  visit  of 
some  six  years  to  the  British  Islands.  It  was  while  on  this 
visit  that  the  magnificent  array  of  twenty  thousand  con- 
verts rose  up  around  him  to  hail  him  as  their  spiritual  father ; 
and  to  attest  the  genuineness  and  divinity  of  his  previous 
spiritual  exercises. 

Mr.  Caughey  is  a  self-educated  man.  He  has  been  an 
extensive  reader,  and  his  mind  is  richly  stored  with  the 
best  thoughts  of  the  best  English  writers.  He  possesses 
a  remarkably  vivid  imagination,  which,  in  its  ardent  flights, 
sometimes,  though  not  often,  soars  into  the  suburbs  of  fanci- 
ful regions.  His  perceptive  faculties  are  superior,  his  rea- 
soning powers  good,  though  not  logical  in  the  highest  sense. 
His  memory  is  both  retentive  and  ready ;  hence  he  has  a 
large  treasury  of  ideas  at  command.  His  mind  possesses 
great  force  ;  his  manner  is  earnest  and  persuasive  ;  his  ges- 
ticulation natural.  His  voice  possesses  remarkable  compass ; 
if  not  richly  musical,  it  is  very  pleasant,  and  the  more  it  is 
heard  the  more  it  charms.  His  discourses  bear  the  mark  of 
originality.  It  is  true  they  often  flash  with  the  intellectual 
jewels  of  great  writers,  but  these  are  faithfully  acknowl- 
edged ;  and  his  sermons,  both  in  thought  and  structure,  are 
manifestly  the  offspriugs  of  his  o^vn  mind. 

Such  is  the  man  whose  marvellous  movements  form  the 
topic  of  these  pages.  Nature  had  raised  him  above  medi- 
ocrity, but  she  had  not  endowed  him  with  the  highest  gifts  of 
genius.  The  church  has  many  ministers  of  larger  powers, 
more  highly  cultivated,  better  read  and  of  higher  intellectual 


12  THE  INTRODUCTORY. 

rank,  but  whose  successes  in  God's  work  will  not  bear  com- 
parison with  those  of  Mr.  Caughey.  Whence,  then,  has  his 
superior  power  proceeded  ?  Why  has  he  won  such  victories  in 
the  church  of  God  ?  We  must  leave  this  question  unsolved, 
or  attribute  his  surprising  victories  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  who 
finds  his  instruments  among  the  herdmen  of  Tekoa,  or  at  the 
feet  of  Gamaliel,  as  his  sovereign  wisdom  may  decide.  To 
this  source  Mr.  Caughey  himself  ascribes  the  glory  of  his 
fruitfulness.  We  do  the  same,  and  invite  the  reader  to  the 
pleasant  work  of  tracing  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  fitting  Mr.  Caughey  for  the  work,  and  assisting  him  in  its 
performance.  Surely  God  will  bless  this  book  to  every  read- 
er's soul ;  for  its  aim  is  to  exhibit  the  glory  of  God  sliining 
through  the  instrumentality  of  man  —  to  show  the  church  of 
God,  in  her  ministry  and  membership,  how  she  may  indeed 
SHINE  AS  THE  LIGHT  OF  THE  WORLD  —  the  Spiritual  Pharos 
of  mankind ! 


CHAPTER  II 


THE    ANOINTING 


Christ  received  a  baptism  of  the  Spirit  on  the  banks  of 
the  Jordan,  before  entering  on  his  mission.  The  apostles  had 
their  Pentecost.  Paul  had  his  spiritual  refre&liing  in  the 
house  of  Ananias.  Luther's  Pentecost  was  received  in  his 
monastic  cell.  Mr.  Wesley  received  his  in  the  Moravian 
prayer  meeting ;  and  in  some  place  or  other,  all  eminently 
useful  men  have  their  Pentecosts.  A  marked  spiritual  exercise 
precedes  their  successes ;  an  exercise  which  forms  an  epoch 
in  their  history. 

Mr.  Caughey  had  such  a  baptism  in  the  earlier  years  of 
his  ministry.  It  was  marked  by  this  feature  :  his  theory  con- 
cerning the  necessity  of  the  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
preaching,  became  2i,  conviction  —  a  stern,  living  conviction. 
His  account  of  this  epoch  is  characteristically  described  in 
one  of  his  letters.     He  says  : 

From  the  hour  I  read  the  following  striking  remarks  of 
Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  a  few  months  previous  to  my  ordination,  I 
have  never  varied  a  hair-breadth  from  the  great  truth  they 
advocate.  I  can  only  quote  from  memory,  as  the  page 
which  first  presented  them  to  my  eye  is  many  thousands  of 
miles  from  me,  and  I  cannot  turn  to  the  place  in  his  Works 
where  they  stand  recorded ;  but  they  differ  Httle  from  the 
following :  "  But  all  this  spiritual  and  rational  preaching  will 
2  13 


14  THE   ANOINTING. 

be  of  no  avail,  unless  another  means  of  God's  own  choosing 
be  superadded  to  give  it  an  effect  —  the  light  and  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  That  Spirit  of  life  and  fire  penetrates,  in 
a  moment,  the  sinner's  heart,  and  drags  out  to  the  view  of 
his  conscience  those  innumerable  crimes  which  He  concealed 
there  under  successive  layers  of  deep  and  thick  darkness, 
when,  under  that  luminous  burning  agency,  he  is  compelled 
to  cry,  '  God  have  mercy  upon  me  a  sinner  ! '  '  Save^  Lord, 
or  I  perish!^  'Heal  my  soul^  for  it  hath  sinned  against 
thee:  " 

I  shall  have  eternal  cause  of  thankfulness  that  the  above 
sentiments  ever  came  under  my  notice.  If  my  ministry  has 
been  rendered  a  blessing  to  many,  that  blessing  has  been 
vouchsafed  through  the  merits  of  Christ,  to  a  steady  recog- 
nition of  the  necessity  of  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
On  the  evening  of  that  never-to-be-forgotten  day  in  which  I 
read  the  above,  I  took  up  my  pen,  in  secret,  before  God,  and 
gave  vent  to  the  emotions  of  my  deeply-impressed  heart,  in 
language  something  like  the  following :  I  see,  I  feel  now  as 
I  have  never  done  before  upon  this  particular  subject.  From 
the  convictions  of  this  hour,  I  hope,  by  the  grace  of  God,  nev- 
er to  vary.     I  see,  I  feel, — 

1st.  The  absolute  necessity  of  the  immediate  influence  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  to  impart  point,  power,  efficacy,  and  success 
to  a  preached  gospel. 

2d.  The  absolute  necessity  of  praying  more  frequently, 
more  fervently,  more  perseveringly,  and  more  helievingly,  for 
the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  my  ministry. 

3d.  That  my  labors  must  be  powerless,  and  comfortless, 
and  valueless,  without  this  aid;  a  cloud  without  water,  a 
tree  without  fruit,  dead  and  rootless ;  a  sound  uncertain, 
unctionless,  and  meaningless ;  such  will  be  the  character  of  my 
ministry.      It  is  the  Spirit  of   God  alone  which   imparts 


THE  ANOINTING.  15 

significancy  and  power  to  the  word  preached,  without  which, 
as  one  has  expressed  it,  "  all  the  threatenings  of  the  Bible 
will  be  no  more  than  thunder  to  the  deaf,  or  lightning  to  the 
blind."  A  seal  requires  weight,  a  hand  upon  it,  in  order  to 
an  impression.  The  soul  of  the  penitent  sinner  is  the  wax  ; 
gospel  truth  is  the  seal ;  but,  without  the  Almighty  hand  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  that  seal  is  powerless.  A  bullet  demands 
its  powder,  without  which  it  is  as  harmless  as  any  other  body. 
The  careless  sinner  is  the  mark ;  truth  is  the  ball  that  must 
pierce  him ;  but  it  cannot  reach^  much  less  penetrate  him, 
separate  from  this  influence  from  heaven.  In  apostolic  times, 
they  preached  the  gospel  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  dovjn 
from  heaven.  1  Peter,  i.  12.  In  our  day  we  need  an  energy 
from  no  lower  source,  to  overturn  the  \vickedness  of  the  vile 
and  profane,  and  to  counteract  the  formality  and  worldliness 
which  are  every  where  visible. 

4th.  I  am  now  fully  persuaded,  that  in  proportion  as  the 
Spirit  of  God  shall  condescend  to  second  my  efforts  in  the 
gospel  message,  I  shall  be  successful ;  nor  need  I  expect 
any  success  beyond.  No  man  has  ever  been  signally  useful 
in  winning  souls  to  Christ,  without  the  help  of  the  Spirit. 
With  it,  the  humblest  talent  may  astonish  earth  and  hell, 
by  gathering  into  the  path  of  life  thousands  for  the  skies ; 
while  without  it,  the  finest,  the  most  splendid  talents  remain 
comparatively  useless. 

5th.  The  entire  glory  of  all  my  success  shall  henceforth 
be  given  to  the  Holy  Spirit.  By  this  I  shall  conscientiously 
abide,  as  by  any  other  principle  of  our  holy  religion.  It  is 
written :  "  They  that  honor  Twe,  I  will  honor ^  To  this 
may  be  added,  that  righteous,  inalienable,  and  unchanging 
determination  of  Jehovah  :  "  31y  glory  I  will  not  give  to 
another. ^^ 

These   truly   scriptural  purposes   were   graven   on   Mr. 


16  THE  ANOINTING. 

Caughey's  heart  as  with  the  finger  of  God.  The  conviction  of 
dependence  became  henceforth  interwoven  with  his  thoughts 
and  feelings.  Several  years  after,  when  he  was  sailing  on 
the  full  tide  of  glorious  success,  he  exclaimed,  speaking  of 
himself  as  an  instrument : 

Amazing  goodness,  that  it  should  be  so  owned  of  God ! 
I  know  the  reason  1  It  is  because  there  is  a  distinct  under- 
standing between  my  poor  soul  and  Heaven,  that  no  portion 
of  the  glory  of  such  a  work  is  to  be  appropriated  hy  me,  either 
to  myself  or  others ;  that  I  am  to  feel  as  deep)ly  humbled 
before  God  when  thousands  are  converted  under  my  ministry, 
as  when  only  one  sinner  has  been  converted.  He  knows  I 
would  rather  die  than  vary,  for  a  moment,  from  first  princi- 
ples ;  I  mean  those  views  of  the  necessity  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  which  I  noted  down  as  the  convictions  of  my  heart, 
after  reading  that  sentiment  of  Dr.  Clarke.  That  eminent 
servant  of  God  little  thought,  that  this  passage,  of  all  the 
multitudinous  writings  which  emanated  from  his  pen,  should 
be  rendered  such  a  blessing.  So  true  is  that  stirring  saying 
of  holy  writ:  ''In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the 
evening  withhold  not  thine  hand;  for  thou  hiowest  not 
whether  shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  whether  they 
both  shall  be  alike  good.''  He  little  imagined,  when  pen- 
ning those  words,  that  they  should  be  wafted  across  the  At- 
lantic ocean,  and  fall  like  heaven's  own  fire  upon  the  under- 
standing and  heart  of  a  young  and  ardent  spirit  at  the  foot 
of  the  Green  Mountains,  in  North  America;  that,  at  «n 
important  and  perilous  period  of  a  youthful  ministry,  these 
words  of  light,  life,  and  fire,  should  arrive,  should  interweave 
themselves  with  the  whole  texture  of  his  ''thinkings,"  be- 
come one  with  his  very  being,  and  the  secret  spring  of  his 
motions ;  motions  which,  though  somewhat  eccentric  in  the 
estimation  of  some,  have  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  many 


THE   ANOINTING.  17 

thousands  of  sinners  to  God.  And  then,  that  this  youth, 
having  sprung  into  manhood,  should  cross  the  "raging  seas," 
in  the  noon  of  his  usefulness,  and  pay  back,  to  Ireland  first, 
and  then  to  England,  a  sort  of  interest  for  the  use  of  that 
invaluable  capital  transferred  to  the  American  shores ;  and 
all  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father,  through  Jesus  Christ,  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Hallelujah !  "  Great  and 
marvellous  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Almighty :  just  and  true 
are  thy  ways,  thou  king  of  saints.  Who  shall  not  fear 
thee,  0  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name?  for  thou  only  art 
holy :  for  all  nations  shall  come  and  worship  before  thee ; 
for  thy  judgments  are  made  manifest^  Rev.  xv.  3,  4. 

The  experience  described  in  this  chapter,  may  be  consid- 
ered as  the  beginning  of  the  Spirit's  work  in  preparing  Mr. 
Caughey  to  be  a  special  instrument  of  salvation  to  thou- 
sands. He  might  have  resisted  that  anointing.  He  might 
have  rested  satisfied  with  a  sound  theory,  instead  of  steeping 
his  soul  in  the  truth,  until  it  so  filled  him  that  he  learned 
as  by  instinct  to  lay  all  the  glory  of  his  labors  at  the  foot- 
stool of  the  eternal  God.  The  next  chapter  will  show  the 
further  work  of  the  Spirit  on  his  heart. 


CHAPTER   III. 

THE    PREPARATION    AND  THE    CONFLICT. 

The  heart  in  which  God  works,  must  sympathise  with  the 
divine  mind  with  all  its  emotions,  energies  and  powers.  It 
must  do  for  itself  all  that  human  strength  may  do ;  for  God 
never  does  that  even  for  his  most  favored  instruments,  which 
they  can  do  for  themselves.  The  following  letter  to  one  of 
his  friends,  contains  a  simple  and  touching  account  of  the 
manner  in  which  Mr.  Caughey  labored  to  make  himself  a 
*'  Workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,"  and  will  forci- 
bly illustrate  these  remarks. 

My  dear  Brother: — I  was  once  in  the  very  position 
you  describe.  The  church  over  which  God  had  placed  me, 
had  long  been  unvisited  by  an  extensive  revival.  My  soul 
became  more  deeply  concerned  than  usual  for  the  conversion 
of  sinners ;  and  I  was  led  to  pray  most  earnestly  for  a  re- 
vival. I  began  a  series  of  meetings,  in  the  month  of  De- 
cember, first  in  one  private  house,  and  then  in  another.  I 
preached  every  night,  and  held  a  prayer-meeting  afterwards ; 
but  we  never  got  the  matter  fairly  before  the  public  ;  only  a 
few  attended,  and  the  special  effort  was  a  complete  failure. 
The  meetings  dwindled  down  to  nothing,  and  we  gave  them 
up  with  as  good  a  grace  as  we  could,  and  returned  to  the  ordi- 
nary means.  But,  you  will  inquire,  "  Why  such  a  defeat  ?  " 
Weakness  of  faith,  and  distrust  in  God,  were  perhaps  the 
18 


THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT.       19 

chief  causes.  "We  missed  our  way,  by  not  lighting  up  the 
chapel  at  once.  We  endeavoured  to  take  hold  of  the  popu- 
lation by  means  of  these  little  meetings  in  various  parts  of 
the  to"vvn,  and  failed  to  make  a  suflBcient  impression  upon  the 
public  mind.  Sinners  cared  nothing  for  us  and  our  paltry 
movements ;  there  was  no  expectation  raised,  no  curiosity 
excited ;  we  were  down,  nor  could  we  recover  ourselves  ;  and 
so  the  effort  was  abandoned.  "  But  why  did  you  take  such 
a  course  ?  WTiy  then  did  you  not  open  the  chapel  ? " 
There  were  several  reasons:  1st.  We  could  not  obtain  the  proper 
preachers  to  assist  in  such  an  arduous  undertaking.  They 
were  all  engaged  in  vigorous  efforts  for  souls,  in  "protracted 
meetings"  on  their  own  circuits.  2d.  I  had  at  that  time  a 
very  small  stock  of  sermons  that  were  any  way  suitable  for 
a  revival.  Unhappily,  I  had  spent  much  of  my  time  upon 
speculative  divinity  ;  in  composing  sermons,  fifteen  thousand 
of  which  would  not,  it  is  probable,  have  brought  one  sinner  to 
God.  The  tniths  embodied  in  them,  were  not  at  all  calcu- 
lated to  bring  about  an  instantaneous  revival.  The  few  ser- 
mons likely  to  make  an  impression,  had  been  exhausted  in 
the  ordinary  sernces.  3d.  I  concluded  that,  in  these  pri- 
vate meetings,  some  good  might  be  done  by  taking  up  new 
texts  of  a  revival  tendency,  and  preaching  as  I  best  could. 
But  not  ha\Tiig  at  command  the  proper  materials  for  the 
illustration  of  truth,  nor  those  arguments  which  are  best  adap- 
ted to  awaken  smners,  and  excite  pubhc  attention,  I  could 
only  dwell  upon  the  dry  materials  of  theology,  and  so  I  was 
as  one  beatmg  the  aii*.  4th.  Aware  of  my  deficiencies, 
pride  or  prudence  suggested  the  impropriety  of  my  attempt- 
ing to  preach  every  night  in  the  chapel,  where  a  failure 
might  be  attended  by  a  serious  reaction. 

But  the  same  difficulties  accompanied  me,  of  course,  to 
the  meetings  in  the  private  dwellings.     I  knew  my  want  of 


20       THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT. 

preparation  for  so  manj  sermons,  and,  though  it  should  not 
have  effected  me,  (for  my  trust  ought  to  have  been  m  God,) 
yet  it  Aveakened  my  faith,  and  I  had  no  courage.  The  pray- 
ing men  caught  my  spirit  also ;  thus,  instead  of  being  able 
to  fight  a  battle  manfully  for  God,  dui'ing  several  weeks  I 
could  only  stand  a  few  skirmishes^  and  the  devil  and  sin 
were  victorious. 

Here  I  received  a  lesson  never  to  be  forgotten.  I  now 
saw  the  necessity  of  turning  my  attention  to  that  style 
of  preaching  which  would  be  likely,  by  the  aid  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  to  awaken  sinners,  and  bring  penitents  to  God.  Re- 
vival artillery,  I  resolved  to  have.  I  fasted  and  prayed,  and 
searched  the  Scriptures.  My  reading,  thinking,  conversation, 
and  all  my  observations,  were  laid  under  contribution  to  one 
end ; — preparation  for  soul-saving,  which  I  now  perceived  to 
be  the  main  end  of  the  gospel  muiistry.  My  little  stock  of 
sermons  suitable  for  a  revival,  increased  rapidly.  When  a 
text  presented  itself  as  suitable  for  a  revival,  my  cry  was, 
"  Lord  God,  open  the  eyes  of  my  understanding ;  give  me 
a  clear  perception  of  thy  meaning  in  this  passage."  A  fore- 
noon was  generally  spent  upon  my  knees,  pleading  for  divis- 
ions and  sub-divisions,  sometimes  a  simple  proposition  was  pre- 
sented. Having  completed  my  "■  skeleton,^  ^  I  returned  to 
my  knees,  and  pleaded  for  an  introduction,  and  that  flesh  and 
sinews  might  come  upon  these  dry  bones.  And  the  pleading 
was  not  in  vain  ;  thoughts  of  a  moving  character  came  into 
my  mind  in  troops.  Having  finished  the  rough  outline,  it  was 
folded  up  till  next  day.  On  the  morrow,  I  returned  to 
my  knees,  read  the  subject  over,  expunged  such  extraneous 
and  superfluous  matter  as  only  tended  to  load  the  memory 
and  encumber  the  subject,  but  retained  all  that  had  point, 
and  was  likely  to  do  execution  among  sinners.  The  holy 
Scriptures  were  then  called  in,  to  prove  or  illustrate  the 


THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT.       21 

sentiments ;  commentators  were  referred  to ;  and  lastly, 
my  private  Journal  and  Common-Place  Book.  It  is  proper 
to  remark,  that  I  had  long  attended  to  that  advice  given 
by  an  aged  American  minister,  to  a  young  preacher: 
"  This  I  would  advise  you,  wherever  you,  in  any  reading,  meet 
with  a  curious  illustration,  prize  it,  seize  it,  enter  it  in  papers 
where  you  may  design  a  lodging  for  such  inestimable  jewels. 
Like  Hezekiah,  have  your  treasures  for  precious  stones  ;  and 
let  these  be  such  unto  you.  Get  such  an  amassment  of  them, 
that  among  them  you  may  be  like  the  king  of  Tyrus,  and 
'  walk  up  and  doAvn  in  the  midst  of  the  stones  of  fire,'  when 
you  are  upon  the  holy  mountain  of  God.  One  of  these  may 
be  like  an  ingot  of  gold,  and  a  whole  discourse  may  be  ren- 
dered acceptable  by  having  such  a  jewel  studded  in  it." 
After  walking  thus  in  the  mount  with  God,  among  mj  jeweU 
and  stones  of  fire ^  some  original,  others  by  right  of  conquest, 
and  collecting  such  as  were  calculated  to  move  an  assembly, 
—  supposing  I  could  do  nothing  more  with  them  at 
present,  the  written  outline  was  brought  to  the  footstool  of 
God,  thus :  "0  Lord  God  of  hosts,  God  of  the  armies  of 
Israel,  and  Head  of  the  Church,  I  ask  thy  acceptance  of 
my  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  and  of  this  my  humble  offering,— 
this  outline  of  a  sermon,  which  I  now  present  to  Thee.  For- 
give all  that  may  be  wrong  in  it,  or  which  savors  of  human 
infii-mlty ;  and  grant  that,  wherever  and  whenever  it  shall  be 
preached,  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  may  attend  it  to  the 
hearts  of  sinners  and  behcvers.  Grant  that  I  may  obtain, 
by  its  instrumentality,  thousands  of  souls  to  my  ministry, 
from  the  ranks  of  wickedness,  through  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord ! 
For  this,  and  the  pardon  of  all  my  sins,  and  the  purification 
of  my  nature,  I  offer  the  atonement  of  the  Saviour.  I  trust 
in  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son ;  I  cast  myself  upon  it 
by  faith,  and  upon  the  veracity  of  Christ  Jesus  in  that  prom- 


22       THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT. 

ise  :  '  What  things  soever  you  desire  when  je  pray,  believe 
that  ye  receive  them,  and  ye  shall  have  them.'  I  have  de- 
sired these  things,  I  have  prayed  for  them,  and  I  do  receive 
what  I  have  asked,  agreeably  to  thy  will." 

The  sermon  was  then  placed  among  kindred  subjects,  and 
carefully  put  away,  under  the  label  — revival  ;  and  I  held 
myself  in  readiness  to  take  up  another  text,  in  a  similar 
manner. 

But  you  will  inquire :  "  Did  you  not  preach  them  imme- 
diately to  your  people  ?  "  Sometimes  I  did  so,  but  not  always ; 
nor  could  I,  the  ordinary  services  being  so  few.  I  consid- 
ered myself  only  in  preparation  for  a  campaign  ;  that  I  was 
just  getting  my  ammunition  and  engines  of  war  in  readiness 
for  a  great  battle.  The  following  Conference  recalled  me 
from  the  town  alluded  to,  and  sent  me  to  another  field  of 
labour.  After  my  arrival,  I  endeavoured  to  get  the  church 
into  a  prepared  state  for  a  revival ;  and  proceeded  with  in- 
creased activity  in  the  accumulation  of  "  munitions  of  war." 
As  the  time  approached,  when  we  were  about  to  enter  upon 
an  extraordinary  conflict  with  the  powers  of  darkness,  I  en- 
deavoured to  secure  ministerial  help,  but,  in  case  of  a  failure 
in  that  quarter,  had  my  own  artillery  ready.  I  had  faith  lq 
God  and  good  courage,  because  faith  had  been  exercising 
itself  for  several  months  in  active  preparation  for  the  holy 
war.  Cromwell  said  to  his  soldiers,  on  the  battle-field, 
*'  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  rely  upon  your  pikes ! "  and,  on 
another  occasion,  "  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  keep  your  powder 
dry  !  "  But  had  they  had  neither  pikes  nor  powder,  their  trust 
in  God  would  not  have  been  very  firm.  In  my  last  skir- 
mishes with  the  devil  and  his  children,  I  had  a  feeble  trust  in 
God,  but  had  neither  pikes  nor  powder ;  you  know  what  I 
mean,  and  I  have  told  you  the  results.  On  the  eve  of  this 
battle,  glory  be  to  God  !   I  had  both  pikes  and  powder.     I 


THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT.       23 

trusted  in  God,  however,  knowing  that  both  were  useless,  if 
not  attended  by  an  influence  from  heaven ;  and  when  fully 
in  the  engagement,  the  weapons  were  wielded  with  such  an 
energy  as  if  every  thing  had  depended  upon  human  might. 

The  people  of  God  were  fully  aware  of  the  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  a  revival ;  but  they  were  all  of  one  heart  and 
soul,  and  joined  together  as  an  impenetrable  phalanx.  The 
respective  officers  put  on  the  heavenly  armour  of  faith,  and 
hope,  and  love.  The  intended  conflict  was  talked  of  in  every 
direction,  and  all  was  expectation  in  the  town. 

The  time  arrived ;  the  house  of  God  was  thrown  open,  and 
hostilities  commenced.  Many  people  thronged  there  to  wit- 
ness the  conflict.  The  weapons  of  our  warfare  were  not 
carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to  the  puUing  down  strong 
holds,  and  casting  doAvn  imaginations,  and  every  high  thing 
that  exalted  itself  against  the  knoAvledge  of  Christ.  The 
pulpit  was  the  "grand  battery,"  but  there  were  several 
others  along  the  ramparts  ;  (if  you  will  allow  me  to  continue 
the  use  of  military  phraseology,  which  I  employ  without 
scruple,  as  did  St.  Paul,  because  it  was  a  real  battle  between 
mind  and  mind,  light  and  darkness,  truth  and  error,  powers 
divine  and  diabolical;)  and  there  were  no  "blank  motions,'* 
no  "powder  and  flash  without  ball."  The  execution  was 
tremendous.  It  appeared  to  some  as  if  the  devil  had  fled, 
and  left  the  field  to  Zion's  sons.  If  so,  he  left  his  troops 
under  a  "  galling  fire,"  and  the  surrender  of  some  of  his 
regiments  was  exceedingly  grand.  The  battle  lasted  nine 
weeks  ;  and  the  results  were  glorious.  If  victory  had  not 
been  ours  at  the  end  of  that  time,  we  must  have  had  to 
retreat,  as  my  "ammunition"  was  nearly  exhausted;  but 
this  only  imparted  a  fresh  impulse  to  my  mind,  to  lay  up 
"mihtary  stores"  on  a  larger  scale.  In  addition  to  this, my 
late  experience  had  enabled  me  to  detect  the  artillery  that 


24       THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT. 

was  weak  or  unwieldy,  and  therefore  unfit  for  the  service. 
There  were  weapons,  some  of  whose  points  were  too  soft,  others 
of  a  harder  temperament  than  they  should  have  been ;  and 
though  they  did  some  execution  upon  mind,  they  might  have 
accomplished  much  more,  had  they  been  of  better  metal, 
kindlier  temper,  and  keener  edge.  To  remedy  these  defects, 
and  get  ready  for  another  campaign,  was  my  happy  employ- 
ment during  the  intervals  of  my  pastoral  duties. 

In  the  meantime,  the  new  converts  received  close  attention ; 
were  appointed  to  classes ;  new  classes  were  formed,  and 
every  possible  means  used,  by  visiting  them  daily  at  their 
own  houses,  and  by  affectionate  pulpit  discourses,  to  confirm 
and  establish  them  in  the  practice  of  true  piety.  Books 
were  placed  in  their  hands  for  the  improvement  of  their 
minds ;  and  the  absence  of  any  one  of  them  from  class,  was 
a  subject  of  immediate  inquiry.  Thus  the  reaction  talked 
of  by  some  was  avoided ;  we  had,  in  fact,  nothing  of  the 
kind.  A  few  went  back  to  the  world,  I  admit,  and  shortly 
after,  a  number  of  the  new  converts  died  happy  in  God,  and 
went  home  to  glory ;  but  a  large  majority  remain  to  the 
present  day,  pillars  in  the  church  of  God,  and  happy  witnesses 
that  "Jesus  Christ  hath  power  upon  earth  to  forgive  sins." 

I  have  now,  my  dear  brother,  given  you  a  detailed  account 
of  my  experience  in  these  things.  I  could  enlarge,  but  it 
is  not  necessary.  If  I  have  been,  in  some  measure,  succes- 
ful  among  my  brethen,  in  winning  souls  to  Christ,  the  Holy 
Spirit  of  God  has  been  the  original  and  efficient  cause  ;  and 
to  him  be  all  the  glory.  That  he  works  by  means,  you  will 
readily  admit,  and,  in  the  above  hasty  sketch,  you  have 
seen  the  progress  of  my  mind  in  laying  hold  of  that  clasa 
of  truths  which  is  calculated,  by  divine  aid,  to  awaken  and 
convert  sinners.  I  could  give  you  an  account  of  many  re- 
vivals, in  which  I  have  been  engaged  during  past  years,  an(^ 


THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT.       25 

farther  observations  upon  the  effects  of  particular  and  pointed 
truth  upon  different  characters,  but  time  will  not  permit. 
My  mind  is  quite  as  much  alive  as  ever  to  seize  upon  illus- 
trations in  nature,  science,  and  common  every-day  life,  of 
which  the  world  is  full,  were  we  only  intent  upon  perceiving 
them.  My  common-place  books  and  little  pocket  note-books, 
are  always  at  hand,  m  which  are  noted  down  whatever  may 
occur  to  my  thought,  in  conversation,  observation,  and  reading. 
I  am  fully  persuaded,  the  reason  why  some  preachers  are 
averse  to  what  are  called  "revival  movements,"  is  not 
because  they  have  no  desire  for  the  conversion  of  sinners, 
nor  from  a  conviction  that  God  has  not  called  them  to  bring 
sinners  to  repentance,  for  they  frequently  attempt  it;  nor 
because  they  have  no  talents  for  such  an  effort ;  but,  chiefly, 
for  the  want  of  proper  pulpit  preparations,  to  begin  and 
carry  forward  a  revival.  Although  they  may  have  a  respect- 
able stock  of  sermons,  which  procure  them  a  rank,  deservedly, 
among  the  accomphshed  theologians  of  the  day ;  yet,  the 
engaging  a  very  few  times  in  preaching  would  exhaust  their 
capital ;  and  then,  to  come  forward  with  "  long  common-place 
sermons,"  as  unfit  for  producing  immediate  and  beneficial 
effect  in  a  revival,  as  snow  upon  a  harvest  field,  would  disap- 
point even  the  expectation  of  sinners,  discourage  penitents, 
and  weary  and  unfit  believers  to  enter  the  prayer  meeting 
with  life  and  zeal.  A  few  such  dull  sermons  would  soon 
thin  the  congregation,  and  leave  the  preacher  to  address  an 
array  of  empty  seats.  Such  men  have,  therefore,  no  heart 
for  such  a  continued  and  laborious  struggle.  What  confi- 
dence could  a  general  have  in  laying  siege  to  a  city,  or  in 
attempting  to  take  it  by  storm,  knowing  that  he  has  neither 
ammunition  nor  artillery  sufficient  for  such  an  undertaking  ? 
But  these,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  every  minister  of  Jesus  must 
have,  if  he  would  undertake  with  proper  energy  to  lay  siege 
3 


2b       THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT. 

to  and  storm  a  population  of  sinners.  Hence,  the  preachers 
on  whom  I  have  ventured  to  animadvert,  are  shy  of  making 
full  proof  of  their  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  in  this 
way ;  and  when  the  matter  is  pressed  home  upon  the  con- 
science of  one  of  these,  he  usually  resorts  to  the  pitiable 
apology,  "  I  have  no  talent  for  these  revivals.  Every  man 
has  his  particular  gift.  All  cannot  be  revivalists.  I  must, 
therefore,  proceed  in  my  own  way." 

Let  the  inquiry  be  put  to  his  conscience  and  understand- 
ing, by  a  proper  person,  "  But,  my  brother,  what  is  your 
way  ?  What  are  you  aiming  at  in  preaching  ?  Upon  what 
principles  did  you  begin  to  preach  at  first  ?  Excuse  the  in- 
quiry ;  what  were  the  secret  feelings  ^]i\q\i  prompted  you  in 
the  beginning  of  your  career  in  the  ministry  ?  If  the  im- 
mediate conversion  of  sinners,  was  not  your  object,  what  was 
it  ?  Why  ?  for  what  purpose  do  you  yet  en4}er  the  pulpit  ? 
Is  it  not  to  bring  sinners  to  repentance  ?  But,  if  you  are 
incapable  of  conducting  a  prayer  meeting,  and  of  kneelmg 
down  to  pray  for  a  penitent  sinner,  to  whom  must  the  church 
of  God  look  ?  If  you  are  incapacitated  to  point  a  trembhng 
sinner  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  and  to  tell  him  how  to  believe,  to 
whom  must  the  unhappy  soul  resort  ?  Do  you  say,  '  I  make 
such  things  known  in  the  pulpit,  and  that  is  the  place  for  the 
performance  of  my  duty  ?'  But  St.  Paul  preached  Jesus  'from 
house  to  house,'  and  '  with  many  tears  ; '  is  it,  therefore, 
improper  to  do  the  same  thing  in  a  prayer  meeting,  under 
circumstances  so  interesting  ?" 

Language  more  pointed  than  this  might  be  used,  but  it  is 
well  even  with  this,  if  he  keeps  his  temper. 

You  may  depend  upon  it,  you  will  find  in  the  above  hints, 
most  of  the  prominent  reasons  for  the  aversion  of  some  men 
to  revivals ;  and  why  they  discountenance  extraordinary 
endeavours  for  the  salvation  of  sinners.     It  is  upon  the  same 


THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT.       27 

principles  that  ayg  may  frequently  account  for  those  mortify- 
ing failures,  when  special  efforts  have  been  made  to  bring 
about  a  revival. 

I  cannot  close  without  an  allusion  to  your  mental  conflicts. 
Have  you  not  read  Augustine's  advice  to  a  young  minister, 
Prepara  te  ad  pressuras  9  To  which  a  good  man  added, 
"  When  a  man  enters  upon  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel, 
he  finds  himself  speedily,  as  it  were,  in  the  wine-press."  It 
is  seldom  the  following  sentiments  of  one  now  with  God, 
have  failed  to  be  realized  in  one  way  or  other  ui  my  experi- 
ence :  "  You  will  hardly  ever  be  engaged  in  any  special 
service  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  but  you  will  either  just 
before  it,  or  after  it,  meet  with  some  special  trouble  ;  either 
from  some  failui'e  of  your  health,  or  in  some  storm  of 
groundless  obloquies  among  the  people  ;  or,  which  is  worst  of 
all,  some  horrid  eolaphisations  from  wicked  spirits  on  your 
mind,  strongly  fillmg  you  mth  consternations  and  confusions, 
which,  be  they  ever  so  unreasonable,  yet  will  be  intolerable." 

It  is  in  the  latter  way,  I  have  hitherto  chiefly  suffered, 
although  I  have  had  my  trials  from  most  of  the  above  sources ; 
but  the  onsets  of  those  cruel  and  invisible  spirits  upon  my 
mind  have  often  been  terrible.  The  de\'il  has  generally 
taken  his  revenge  in  this  way,  when  I  have  been  favored  with 
any  remarkable  success  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  These 
conflicts  have  often  been  very  severe  just  before  some  re- 
markable conquest ;  and  after  the  revival,  he  has  come 
against  me  as  a  roaring  lion ;  but  the  Lord  hath  hitherto 
deUvered  me,  and  by  such  commotions,  prepared  me  for 
greater  usefulness,  and  endued  me  with  a  larger  measure  of 
watchfulness  and  humihty. 

I  have  often  shortened  these  days  of  trial,  by  plunging 
mto  another  revival ;  then  all  has  become  light,  and  peace, 
and  joy.     I  have  therefore,  of  late  years,  arranged  matters, 


28       THE  PREPARATION  AND  THE  CONFLICT. 

SO  as  to  step  into  another  effort  for  a  revival,  when  my  work 
has  concluded  in  any  given  place.  The  devil  has  been 
baffled  for  the  time,  by  these  rapid  movements  ;  but  he  has 
still  threatened  my  trembling  soul  in  a  manner  I  cannot 
describe ;  suggesting,  that,  for  every  instance  in  which 
he  has  been  foiled  in  this  way,  he  shall  yet  have  his  ven- 
geance, in  one  concentrated  and  tremendous  storm,  which  is 
brooding  and  preparing  in  the  gloomy  distance.  "  But  none 
of  these  things  move  me,  neither  comit  I  my  life  dear  imto 
myself,  if  I  may  finish  my  course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry 
I  have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus."  "He  that  will 
wage  war  with  hell,  must  suffer  hell's  rage,"  has  long  been 
my  motto  ;  but,  if  the  devil  and  I  must  fight,  I  am  deter- 
mined to  be  the  aggressor.  I  think  there  is  an  advantage 
here  worth  taking  ;  and  we  may  take  it  most  fairly,  as  the 
apostle  tells  us  he  is  wide  awake  to  "  get  an  advantage  of 
Tisl" 

These  trials,  I  admit  with  you,  are  "worse  than  preaching ;" 
and,  a  succession  of  them,  make  a  man  look  older  by  many 
years  than  he  really  is.  The  people  who  surrounded  our 
Lord,  mistook  him  for  being  nearly  fifty  years  of  age,  when 
he  was  only  a  little  more  than  thirty.  "  Thou  art  not  yet 
fifty  years  old," — this  was  their  nearest  guess, — "  and  hast 
thou  seen  Abraham  ?"  John  viii.  57.  J.  c. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE     TEST     OF     EEVIVAL     PRINCIPLES. 

Such  were  the  experiences  of  God's  church  nearly  three 
thousand  years  ago,  that  its  saints  could  say,  -with  triumphant 
confidence,  "  The  word  of  the  Lord  is  tried^^ — i.  e.  it  has 
been  put  to  the  test  —  it  has  stood  the  trial  of  experi- 
ment. It  may,  therefore,  be  rehed  upon  with  unshrinking 
certainty.  It  is  this  certainty — this  unwavering,  un- 
yielding, invincible  confidence  in  the  faithfulness  of  God, 
that  has  sustained  Mr.  Caughey,  that  has  lain  at  the  base  of 
his  movements  —  and  inspired  his  heroic  heart,  in  its  conflicts 
with  the  kingdom  of  darkness.  The  following  letter,  which 
is  fired  with  the  energy  of  its  author,  is  strikingly  illustrative 
of  him.  It  reveals  him  in  the  battle-field,  testing  the  weapons 
he  had  furnished  and  sharpened  in  the  closet.  It  was  written 
to  a  friend  in  England,  who  desired  his  counsel  on  the  best 
methods  of  bringing  a  church  into  a  revival  state.  After 
stating  that  the  scene  of  the  work  was  a  town  in  North 
America,  Mr.  Caughey  proceeds  to  say  :  — 

Protracted  religious  ser\dces  were  determined  upon,  by  a 
few  choice  spirits,  who  had  for  some  time  mourned  over  the 
desolations  of  Zion  in  that  town.  The  time  fixed  for  the 
commencement  of  hostilities  arrived.  The  conflict  began 
with  a  determination  I  have  seldom  seen  surpassed.  We 
preached  the  gospel  during  a  succession  of  evenings,  with  but 
one  single  object  in  view,  to  bring  hardened  sinners  to 
3*  29 


30  THE   TEST   OF    REVIVAL   PRINCIPLES. 

repentance.  There  were  many  such  in  that  town ;  ungodly 
men,  who  had  long  set  the  God  that  made  them  at  defiance  ; 
men  who  violated  his  law,  neglected  his  worship,  despised  his 
servants,  denied  the  truths  of  his  Bible,  and  entertained 
opinions  the  most  degrading  and  anti-scriptural.  Drunken- 
ness, Sabbath-brealdng,  whoredom,  profane  swearing,  and  all 
manner  of  wickedness,  were  practised  without  feeling,  fear, 
or  remorse.  But  a  few  there  were  who  "sighed  and  cried" 
for  all  the  abominations  of  the  place.  "Rivers  of  water," 
said  some,  "run  down  mine  eyes,  because  men  keep  not  thy 
law."  "  It  is  time.  Lord,  for  thee  to  work,  for  they  have 
made  void  thy  law,"  was  the  mournful  and  interceding 
language  of  others.  The  example  of  some  ministers  in  the 
town  was  no  rule  for  us.  Our  duty  was  plain;  —  not 
to  glance  over  this  moral  desolation  an  eye  of  careless 
indifference  ;  nor  to  be  governed  in  our  movements  by  that 
Cainite  sentiment,  the  principle  of  which  is  so  prevalent  in 
the  present  day :  "  Am  I  my  brother's  keeper  ? "  We  did 
not  feel  ourselves  called  to  deplore  merely  the  general  wick- 
edness around,  nor  the  horrors  of  that  dreadful  hell  towards 
which  that  wickedness  was  carrying  this  population  of  sinners, 
but  to  make  vigorous  efforts  for  their  rescue. 

Believing  the  gospel  to  be  Heaven's  revealed  instrumen- 
tality to  bring  about  an  event  so  desirable,  we  endeavoured 
to  wield  its  divine  truth  with  all  the  energy  with  which 
it  had  pleased  God  to  endue  us.  Our  efforts  were  not  con- 
fined to  the  Sabbath,  or  to  one  or  two  evenings  in  the  week, 
but  "night  and  day,"  throughout  the  week,  not  in  the 
sanctuary  alone,  but  from  house  to  house ;  afternoon  and 
night  we  laboured  for  God  in  the  chapel ;  the  forenoons  and 
intervals  between  meetings,  we  exhorted  the  people  at  their 
homes  to  turn  to  God.  Sinners,  however,  remained  hard 
and  obstinate.     They  seemed,  in  fact,  as  if  leagued  together 


THE  TEST  OF  REVIVAL  PRINCIPLES.  31 

to  defeat  our  object;  —  not  indeed  hy  open  and  avowed 
hostility,  but  by  keeping  themselves  away  from  the  house  of 
God.  The  few  who  ventured  into  our  assemblies,  were  as 
unmoved  as  the  seats.  The  "  why  and  wherefore  "  of  aU 
this  "religious  stir  and  din,"  seemed  to  be  the  predominant 
inquiry  upon  the  features  of  the  visitors.  This  was  just  what 
we  wanted  to  see ;  and  we  were  determined  to  have  this 
expression  become  general.  "Truth,"  said  one,  "fears 
nothing  more  than  inattention.  It  is  too  important  to  be 
treated  with  indifference.  Opposition  calls  forth  and  sharp- 
ens the  powers  of  the  human  mind  in  its  defence.  The 
cause  of  the  gospel  has  ever  gained  by  investigation.  Cre- 
dulity is  the  bane  of  it." 

Our  congregations  increased,  but  the  hardness  and  im- 
penitency  of  sinners  continued.  Of  one  thing  I  can  assure 
you, — the  whole  counsel  of  God  was  delivered.  Nothing 
was  kept  back  which  we  considered  profitable  to  our  hearers, 
or  essential  to  the  faithful  declaration  of  oui'  message.  With 
the  sentiment  of  an  elegant  writer  we  heartily  concurred  : 
"  The  defensive  armour  of  a  shrinking  and  timid  policy,  does 
not  suit  Christianity.  Hers  is  the  naked  majesty  of  truth. 
With  all  the  gi*andeur  of  age,  but  with  none  of  its  infirmities, 
has  she  come  down  to  us,  and  gathered  new  strength  from 
the  battles  she  has  won  in  the  many  controversies  of  many 
generations.  With  such  a  religion  as  this,  there  is  nothing 
to  hide  ;  all  should  be  above-board  ;  and  the  broadest  light 
of  day  should  be  made  fully  and  freely  to  circulate  through 
all  her  services.  But  secret  things  she  has  none.  To  her 
belong  the  frankness  and  the  simpUcity  of  conscious  great- 
ness. And  whether  she  grapple  with  the  pride  of  philosophy, 
or  stand  in  pointed  opposition  to  the  prejudices  of  the  multi- 
tude, she  does  it  upon  her  own  strength,  and  spurns  all  the 
props,  and  all  the  auxiharies  away  from  her." 


32  THE   TEST   OF   REVIVAL   PRINCIPLES. 

We  were  not  seeking  after  gain  or  popularity.  We  asked 
not  the  money  of  our  hearers,  nor  their  goods,  nor  any  por- 
tion of  them.  "  It  is  not  for  you  to  be  fishing  for  gudgeons, 
but  for  towns,  forts,  and  castles,"  said  Cleopatra  to  Mark 
Antony.  Glory  be  to  God !  we  were  not  fishing  for 
gudgeons, — filthy  lucre ^  ov  the  praise  of  men — but  we  had 
laid  close  siege  to  the  town,  its  forts  and  its  castles ;  every 
strong-hold  of  Satan.  We  wielded  the  same  weapons  as  did 
the  apostles.  (2  Cor.  x.  4.  5.)  And  as  the  forts,  towers, 
and  castles,  all  the  strong-holds  of  the  kingdom  of  hell,  came 
tumbling  down,  under  the  mighty  and  supernatural  blows  of 
their  weapons,  we  did  expect  to  see  the  same  effects  pro- 
duced, ere  the  battle  was  ended  in  which  we  were  now 
engaged.  Human  applause  was  as  valueless  as  the  dust  of 
their  streets.  Their  wrath  we  dreaded  not.  Neither  men 
nor  devils  were  we  afraid  of.  We  expected  persecution,  but 
we  were  yet  too  insignificant.  Dogs  do  not  bark  at  a  solitary 
star  or  two  ;  but,  as  old  AZcfa^  observes,  in  his  ''  Emblems ^^^ 
they  bark  most  when  the  moon  is  at  the  full ;  perhaps  not  so 
much  at  the  moon  herself,  as  at  the  "  strange  and  dubious 
things,"  which  multiply  upon  their  animal  vision.  We  an- 
ticipated that  when  the  little  church  began  to  shine  forth, 
"  bright  as  the  sun,  fair  as  the  moon,  and  terrible  as  an 
army  with  banners,"  in  a  glorious  revival,  that  it  would  set 
all  the  dogs  in  to^vn  barking. 

Again  and  again,  as  our  congregations  increased,  the 
gospel  of  our  God  and  Saviour  was  proclaimed  in  all  its 
fulness,  while  the  steel  of  eternal  truth  was  pointed  directly 
at  the  heart  of  every  sinner.  The  sins  of  the  people  were 
clearly  and  faithfully  portrayed  in  all  their  horrible  deformity. 
There  was  no  daubing  -vvith  untempered  mortar  ;  no  com- 
promising of  truth  ;  no  beating  the  air  with  idle  words  ;  no 
temporizing ;  no  trimming  to  suit  the  prejudices  of  the  peo- 


THE   TEST   OF   REVIVAL   PRINCIPLES.  33 

pie  ;  no  mincing  of  truth,  a  little  now  and  a  little  again,  as  the 
people  could  bear  it ;  no  equivocal,  or  ambiguous  sentences 
or  expressions,  phrases  of  "doubtful  signification,"  in  order 
to  avoid  offending  delicate  ears.  Things  were  called  by 
their  proper  names  ;  whoredom  was  named  whoredom ;  adul- 
tery, fornication,  &c.,  were  called  such;  hell,  sin,  sinners, 
and  the  devil,  were  subjects  set  before  the  people  in  all  the 
terror  of  the  one,  and  the  native  ugliness  of  the  other.  The 
law  of  God,  and  the  hell  of  eternity,  were  set  forth  with  all 
the  sanctions  of  the  former,  and  with  all  the  torments,  weep- 
ing, wailing,  and  gnashing  of  teeth,  of  the  latter. 

While  dealing  with  these  sinners,  we  were  perplexed  with 
no  misgivings  respecting  the  extent  of  the  redeeming  plan. 
We  knew,  to  borrow  the  language  of  another,  that,  "  as  the 
gospel  had  no  limitation  as  it  regarded  time,  it  had  nothing 
of  the  kind  when  applied  to  human  character."  "Jesus 
Christ,"  we  insisted,  "  by  the  grace  of  God  tasted  death  for 
every  man  ;"  "he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not 
for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world  ; "  and 
"  by  him  all  that  believe  are  justified  from  all  things,  from 
which  they  could  not  be  justified  by  the  law  of  Moses  ;" 
that  so  long  as  a  sinner  had  repentance  and  faith  in  his  heart, 
we  knew  not  a  single  crime,  or  collection  of  crimes,  in  the 
whole  catalogue  of  human  depravity,  that  the  atoning  blood  of 
Christ  could  not  wash  away  ;  or  that  there  was  any  des- 
perado of  vice  and  folly,  within  the  compass  of  our  voice, 
however  sunk  in  the  depths  of  his  dark  and  unnatural 
depravity,  who  was  not  welcome  to  come  to  Christ,  if  he 
would.  Nor  would  such  a  sinner  find,  that  the  crimson 
inveteracy  of  his  manifold  offences  was  beyond  the 
reach  of  the  peace-speaking  and  purifying  blood  of  the  Son 
of  God.  We  were  persuaded  that  as  the  justice  of  God 
suffered  no   encroachment  by  the  offers  of  mercy  to   the 


34  THE   TEST   OF   REVIVAL   PRINCIPLES. 

believing  penitent,  and  as  mercy  itself  is  restrained  by  no 
limitation,  there  can  be  no  arrest  laid  upon  its  offers,  arising 
from  the  shades,  and  degrees,  and  varieties,  of  hmnan  sin- 
fulness ;  that,  allowing  the  existence  of  repentance  and  faith 
within  the  soul  of  the  sinner,  there  is  no  point  in  the  de- 
scending scale  of  human  depravity  beyond  which  it  cannot 
go,  even  "  to  hell's  trembhng  verge."  They  were  told,  that, 
as  "  for  guilt,  in  its  full  impenitency,  Jesus  Chiist  dyed 
his  garments,  and  waded  through  an  arena  of  blood,  so  might 
the  most  abandoned  of  the  children  of  iniquity  begin  a  contrite 
movement  toward  him ;  that  Jesus  Christ  would  be  the  last 
person  in  heaven  to  spurn  them  away  from  purchased  mercy, 
purchased  by  his  own  most  precious  blood  ;  nor  would  he  ever 
cjose^the  door  of  mexcy.,jRiuch_had  cost  hini  so  much  to  open ; 
that  he  would  never  quench  the  spark  of  the  sinner's  desire  for 
salvation,  nor  break  the  bruised  reed,  nor  overturn  the  prop 
of  hope  in  Christ,  upon  which  he  was  invited  to  rest."  But, 
strange  as  it  may  appear,  a  sullen  front  of  resistance  was 
still  maintained  upon  the  part  of  sinners.  With  us  the  mat- 
ter was  settled, — "  Victory  or  death.^^  Again  the  lightnings 
of  truth  and  terror  flashed  over  the  congregations.  The 
thunders  of  Sinai  reverberated  long,  loud,  and  dreadful. 
The  place  trembled,  and  the  heart  and  soul  of  man  quaked 
before  the  presence  of  the  Lord  God  of  hosts. 

We  were  not  trammeled  in  our  efforts  by  rich  and  time- 
serving professors  ;  nor  by  any  who  were  anxious  we  should 
obtain  or  retain  the  approbation  of  the  wealthy.  There  was 
no  sensation  created  on  the  appearance  of  influential  persons 
in  the  congi-egation,  lest  they  might  take  offence,  and  leave 
the  church,  possibly  to  return  no  more.  We  were  troubled 
with  no  officials  cautioning  us  against  giving  offence,  with  a 
"  perad venture,  such  and  such  persons  will  withdraw  from 
the  church,  and  withhold  hereafter  their  support."      The 


THE   TEST    OF   REVIVAL    PRINCIPLES.  35 

people  of  God  were  poor  and  feeble,  and,  from  various 
causes,  had  dwindled  down  to  a  solitary  disheartened  few. 
They  knew  very  well  if  God  did  not  interfere,  and  vouchsafe 
a  revival,  their  church,  in  that  place,  must  become  extinct. 
The  dear  people  felt  their  feebleness,  but  they  were  loyal  at 
heart,  and  stood  by  us.  Some  could  do  but  little,  as 
it  regarded  vocal  prayer,  but  they  could  weep  and 
pray  secretly  ;  not  unlike  a  little  girl,  of  whom  I  heard 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Beaumojit  relate  the  following  anecdote, 
in  Liverpool :  Four  children,  three  brothers  and  a  little 
sister,  were  enjoying  a  ramble  along  the  banks  of  a 
river,  when  one  of  the  boys  accidentally  fell  into  the 
water;  just  as  he  was  sinking,  another  little  brother 
plunged  in  for  his  rescue,  and  when  they  were  both  stmg- 
gling  in  the  stream,  the  other  brother  reached  out  his  hand, 
and  caught  the  second  brother,  who  was  about  to  sink  also  ; 
and,  by  the  good  providence  of  God,  both  found  bottom,  and 
crawled  ashore.  When  they  arrived  at  home,  the  glad 
father,  who  had  learned  the  jeopardy  of  his  children,  called 
them  around  him,  and  inquired  of  one,  "  Well,  what  did 
you  do  to  save  your  drowning  brother  ? "  "I  plunged  into 
the  water  after  him.  Sir,"  was  the  reply.  "And  what  did 
you  do?"  he  inquired  of  the  next.  "I  earned  him  home 
upon  my  back.  Sir."  Turning  to  his  Httle  daughter,  he 
said,  "  Well,  my  dear,  and  what  did  you  do  to  save  your 
drowning  brother?"  She  repUed,  "I  fell  a  crying,  papa, 
as  hard  as  I  was  able,  all  the  time."  Aye,  and  perhaps  her 
tears  and  cries  prompted  her  little  brothers  to  these  desperate 
and  successful  efforts  for  the  rescue  of  their  sinking  brother. 
Be  this  as  it  may,  we  felt  ourselves  stimulated  to  "  deeds  of 
noble  daring,"  by  the  tears  and  cries  of  this  precious  little 
flock. 

During  eight  or  nine  days,  sinners  were  thus  battered  by 


86        THE  TEST  OF  REVIVAL  PRINCIPLES. 

the  artillery  of  the  law,  and  assailed  on  every  side  by  the 
f  offers  of  the  gospel.  Every  appeal  made  to  their  fears  was 
/  followed  by  another  to  their  Jiopes.  Hell  and  its  horrors, 
sin  and  its  penalties,  glared  around ;  while  Calvary  and  its 
scenes  were  held  forth  as  pledges  of  hope  and  salvation.  If 
they  wept  not,  we  did,  as  Christ  was  set  forth,  evidently 
crucified  before  their  eyes : — 

"  Jesus  drinks  the  bitter  cup, 

The  wine-press  treads  alone  ; 
Tears  the  graves  and  mountains  up, 
By  his  expiring  groan. 

*  *  * 

Well  may  heaven  be  cloth'd  in  black, 

And  solemn  sackcloth  wear ; 
Jesus'  agonies  partake, 

The  hour  of  darkness  share  : 
Mourn  th'  astonish' d  hosts  above ; 

Silence  saddens  all  the  skies  ; 
Kindler  of  seraphic  love, 

The  God  of  angels  dies. 

0,  my  God,  he  dies  for  me, 

I  feel  the  mortal  smart  I 
See  him  hanging  on  the  tree, — 

A  sight  that  breaks  my  heart : 
0  that  all  to  thee  might  turn ; 

Sinners,  ye  may  love  him  too ; 
Look  on  him  ye  pierced,  and  mourn 

For  one  who  bled  for  you. 

*  *  *  * 

Weep  o'er  your  desire  and  hope. 
With  tears  of  humblest  love :  "— 


^^' Behold,'''  we  cried,  as  sin  still  occupied  the  ground, 
and  sinners  still  remained  hard  and  unsubdued,  "  'Behold 
the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world ! ' 
—  see  an  expiring  Saviour!  God  is  now  in  Christ  recon- 
ciling you  to  himself,  not  imputing  your  trespasses  unto  you. 


THE  TEST   OF  REVIVAL  PRINCIPLES.  37 

'  0  believe  the  record  true, 

God  to  you  his  Son  hath  given  ! 
Ye  may  now  be  happy  too  ; 

Find  on  earth  the  life  of  heaven : 
Live  the  life  of  heaven  above, 
All  the  life  of  glorious  love  I  ' 

Plead  the  merits  of  his  death,  0  sinners  !  Behold  your 
pardoning  God  !  He  is  ready  to  blot  out  your  transgressions 
as  a  thick  cloud ;  your  sins  and  your  uiiquities  will  he 
remember  no  more.  Believe,  only  beheve,  and  yours  is  the 
right  and  title  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  Think  me  not 
tedious,  my  dear  brother,  nor  over  particular  in  descending 
to  such  a  minute  detail  as  to  the  manner  of  our  address  to 
these  sinners.  It  was,  indeed,  a  regular  siege,  and  an 
irtijwrtant  one.  We  now  were  making  full  proof  of  our  minis- 
try, and  pushing  our  tremendous  principles  to  those  results 
intended  by  the  Author  of  them.  Hell  and  heaven  were 
perpetually  before  our  eyes.  The  danger  of  that  eternal 
damnation  to  which  these  sinners  were  every  moment  exposed, 
absorbed  our  every  thought.  We  knew  no  other  method  by 
which  to  save  them  from  the  perdition  that  awaited  them  but 
this ;  nor  did  we  want  any  other.  Our  triumphant  boast 
was,  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  for  it  is 
the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  mito  every  one  that  believeth ; 
to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek ; "  and  we  were 
determined  not  to  stir  from  the  place  till  the  power  of  that 
gospel  was  realized,  and  acknowledged  by  angels,  devils,  and 
men. 

Never,  I  assure  you,  did  a  besieging  army  bombard  a  city 
with  greater  confidence  of  beholding  a  surrender,  than  we 
felt  when  beleaguering  these  sinners.  Speculations  were 
never  more  rife,  outside  the  walls  of  a  besieged  city,  as  to 
what  part  of  the  walls  would  be  likely  to  give  way  and  cause 
a  breach,  than  were  the  speculations  among  some,  as  to  what 
4 


38        THE  TEST  OF  KEVIVAL  PRINCIPLES. 

sinner,  or  what  class  of  sinners,  would  first  break  down 
under  the  truth,  and  cause  a  gap  in  the  ranks  of  sm.  As 
the  crisis  approached,  our  congregations  increased ;  our  all- 
absorbing  feelings  seemed  to  pervade  the  people,  but  none 
had  sufficient  courage  to  brave  the  gaze  of  the  multitude , 
and  separate  himself  as  a  stricken  sinner. 

Night  had  succeded  to  night,  and  day  to  day,  without  any 
conversions.  The  sword  of  the  Lord  appeared  to  us  as  if 
blunted  against  the  hardened  mass ;  the  arrows  of  truth 
rebounded  from  flinty  hearts  as  if  they  had  been  shot  against 
a  stone  wall. 

The  time  of  extremity  was  God's  opportunity.  Is  there 
anything  too  hard  for  Jehovah  ?  "  Nothing  but  quite  im- 
possible, is  hard."  "  God  is  terrible  out  of  his  holy  places," 
says  the  psalmist.  He  speaks,  and  it  is  done  ;  he  commands, 
and  it  stands  fast.  "  Pompey  boasted,"  said  one,  "  that  with 
one  stamp  of  his  foot  he  could  raise  all  Italy  in  arms  ;  but 
God,  with  one  word  of  his  mouth,  could  raise,  not  all  Italy 
only,  but  all  heaven."  He  is  wonderful  in  working.  He 
humbles  human  pride,  aud  secures  his  own  glory,  by  render- 
ing our  plans  and  efforts  useless  for  a  time,  and  bringing 
about  his  purposes  by  the  humblest  and  weakest  instrumen- 
tahty.  One  of  our  company,  a  minister,  in  the  course  of 
his  visitations  from  house  to  house,  thought  proper  to  extend 
his  visits  of  mercy  to  a  UachsmitNs  shop,  in  which  were 
several  men  at  work,  most  of  whom  were  very  wicked  ;  the 
voice  of  profane  swearing  often  sounded  out  from  it  horribly. 
One  of  the  young  men  was  shoeing  a  horse  when  our  friend 
entered,  and  did  not  observe  his  approach.  He  suddenly 
advanced,  and  whispered  sharply  in  the  ear  of  the  busy 
sinner,  "  You  must  have  your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation 
of  the  gospel  of  peace."  The  man  was  taken  by  surprise, 
as  much,   perhaps,   as  if  the  horse  had  struck  him.      Ho 


THE   TEST   OF   REVIVAL   PRINCIPLES.  39 

hastily  raised  his  head,  discovered  the  author  of  this  strange 
salute,  dropped  it  again,  muttered  something,  and  fell  a 
hammering  a  nail  into  the  shoe  violently.  The  word  was  a 
nail  fastened  in  a  sure  place.  The  Spirit  of  God  was  there, 
and  drove  it  into  the  sinner's  heart.  The  minister  left  the 
shop  without  saying  any  more.  That  night  the  man  mingled 
with  the  crowd  who  entered  the  church,  and,  at  the  close  of 
the  sermon  presented  himself  as  a  distressed  and  condemned 
sinner,  soliciting  "  prayer  and  help."  A  number  of  others, 
quite  as  unhappy  as  himself,  were  soon  by  his  side,  when 
they  all  raised  their  cry  together,  "Lord  have  mercy!'* 
Tliis  was  the  hour  of  our  triumph.  Now  we  witnessed  a 
scene  which  repaid  us  for  all  our  toil.  The  young  smith, 
with  many  more,  obtained  salvation  the  same  evening. 
Fi'om  that  night  the  work  of  God  went  on  in  majesty  and 
power. 

It  was  now,  and  from  this  time,  that  we  saw  those  great 
truths,  which  other  ministers  were  contented  to  preach  from 
Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  and  from  year  to  year,  without  behold- 
ing any  visible  effects,  invested  with  a  potency  which  was, 
indeed,  glorious,  mighty,  and  almost  irresistible.  The 
moment  a  sinner  came  within  range  of  its  influence,  he  was 
affected.  Many  a  stout  and  stubborn  adversary  was  felled 
to  the  ground,  and  roared  for  mercy,  as  if  he  was  going 
quick  into  hell.  We  had  evidence  before  our  eyes,  the  most 
convincing,  that  if  the  people  of  God  set  their  hearts  upon 
a  revival,  and  use  the  proper  means,  they  cannot  fail  to  obtain 
their  desire.  Their  feebleness,  in  every  worldly  sense  in 
which  the  term  may  be  used,  will  be  no  obstacle.  If  they 
depend  upon  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  fast  and  pray,  and 
employ  every  other  method  authorized  in  the  word  of  God, 
earth  and  hell  combined  cannot  hinder  a  revival.  The  prayer 
must  prevail : — 


40  THE   TEST    OF   REVIVAL   PRINCIPLES. 

"  Like  mighty  winds  and  torrents  fierce, 
Let  it  opposers  all  o'errun, 
And  every  law  of  sin  reverse." — 

Let  the  ministers  of  any  particular  church  trample  under 
foot  that  silly  objection,  that  extraordinary  means  will  throw 
discredit  upon  the  ordinary.  Rather  let  them  decide,  that 
the  former,  if  successful,  must,  in  the  nature  of  the  case, 
confer  honour  upon  the  ordinary  services.  Uncommon  efforts, 
justify,  to  the  fullest  extent,  those  endeavours  which  are 
put  forth  in  the  common  services  of  the  sanctuary  ;  but  that 
they  do  impart  a  significancy  and  a  power  to  the  regular 
services  of  the  future,  is  now  a  fact  well  attested.  Let 
them,  then,  break  boldly  through,  and  no  more  confine  them- 
selves to  the  limits  of  Sabbath  preaching,  but  take  a  firm 
stand  before  the  congregation  in  reference  to  a  revival.  The 
doors  of  the  house  of  God  must  be  thrown  open  for  daily 
and  nightly  preaching.  Let  them  be  simple  of  heart,  and 
aim  at  one  thing,  the  conversion  of  sinners.  Ordinary  ser- 
mons, however,  they  must  know,  will  not  be  suitable  for  such 
services,  unless  they  desn*e  to  preach  to  empty  pews.  Ex- 
traordinary plans  and  movements  will  demand  an  extra- 
ordinary kind  of  preaching.  We  do  not  expect  to  see  snow 
in  harvest ;  nor  the  sea,  smooth  as  glass,  and  calm  as  a  fish- 
pond, when  a  storm  is  out  upon  its  surface.  I  need  not  mul- 
tiply words  or  figures.  You  know  what  I  mean.  I  would 
recommend  the  same  style  of  preaching,  and  means,  which  I 
have  hinted  at  in  tliis  letter  when  describing  our  efforts  for 
the  great  revival  in  question.  If  the  people  of  God  unite 
with  their  ministers,  and  encourage  them  by  their  presence 
and  prayers,  while  they  are  preaching  fearlessly,  vigorously, 
and  pointedly,  those  great  truths  likely  to  awaken  and  convert 
men,  the  arm  of  God  will  soon  be  made  bare  in  a  great 
revival.     I  would  urge  the  continuation  of  the  meetmg  for 


THE  TEST  OP  REVIVAL  PRINCIPLES.  -        41 

weeks,  with  or  without  success.  Whether  the  congregations 
are  large  or  small,  I  would  continue  the  meetings.  Though 
sinners  were  as  wicked  as  devils,  and  as  hard  and  senseless, 
or  stupid,  as  the  seats  of  the  chapel,  I  would  continue  the 
meetings,  and  preach  on,  every  night,  with  an  undying  trust 
in  the  promises  of  God.  Magna  est  Veritas  et  jprcevalehit, 
—  Great  is  truth,  and  it  shall  prevail.  Let  them  thus  go 
on  repeating  the  blow,  "  Victory  or  death,"  and  they  shall 
see  a  revival ;  such  a  turning  to  God,  such  an  in-gathering  of 
souls  to  the  fold  of  Christ,  as  will  gladden  the  hearts  of  all 
who  believe  ;  whUe  the  scene  will  spread  a  tide  of  holy  joy 
over  all  the  inhabitants  of  heaven.     Luke  XV.  10. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE     CALL     OF     THE      SPIRIT. 

We  are  now  approaching  a  fact  in  Mr.  Canghey's  expe- 
rience, of  deep  and  affecting  interest.  We  are  about  to 
witness  him  listening  to  a  solemn  call  from  God,  which  is  to 
utterly  change  the  sphere  of  his  action,  to  cast  him  as  a 
pilgrim  on  the  shores  of  another  land,  and  to  affect  the 
destiny  of  thousands.  The  opinion  of  the  reader  concerning 
the  exercises  about  to  be  described,  will  depend  on  the 
character  of  his  pre-existing  views  of  divine  operations  on 
the  human  heart.  If  he  possesses  exalted  faith,  if  his  mind  is 
spiritualized  by  devotion,  if  he  has  a  soul  tutored  by  the  Spirit 
to  that  child-hke  simplicity,  so  earnestly  required  by  Jesus 
Christ,  he  will  readily  give  credence  to  Mr.  Caughey's 
statements,  and  admire  that  sublime  obedience  which  led 
him,  in  the  spirit  of  Abraham,  to  leave  his  home,  to  abandon 
the  sphere  of  his  present  usefulness,  simply  because  God 
required  it ! 

But  if  his  heart  is  more  alive  to  the  voices  that  come  from 
without,  than  to  the  "  still,  small  voice  "  within  ;  if  he  has 
more  faith  in  the  visible  than  in  the  invisible ;  if  he  is  a 
disbehever  in  the  subjective  operations  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
on  the  human  soul ;  he  mil  probably  read  with  a  cold, 
questioning  incredulity.  But  let  him  remember,  that  many 
great  and  pious  men  have  had  a  firm  belief  in  the  subjective 
42 


THE    CALL   OF   THE    SPIRIT.  '   43 

influences  of  the  Spirit.  Wesley,  Fletcher,  Edwards, 
Luther,  Doddridge,  Bunjan,  and  many  other  greatly  good 
men,  would  readily  have  sympathized  with  such  impressions 
as  those  of  Mr.  C. ;  where,  as  in  his  case,  they  were 
preceded  by  the  steady  enjoyment  of  hoHness,  by  a  hfe  of 
prayer,  and  attended  by  outward  Providences  corresponding 
Avith  and  confirming  the  inward  impressions.  As  long  as  it 
stands  recorded  in  the  Bible,  that  the  Spirit  directed  Philip 
and  Peter  and  Paul,  that  Christ  pledged  that  Spirit  for  the 
guidance  of  his  disciples,  and  especially  of  his  ministers, 
there  can  be  no  room  to  doubt  the  j90ssi6^7^7^/  of  such 
impressions.  The  proofs  of  their  genuineness  in  mdividuals, 
must  be  sought  in  their  fruits.  To  this  test  we  shall  see 
those  of  Mr.  Caughey  submitted ;  and  by  their  fruits,  the 
reader  will,  we  think,  be  compelled  to  admit  their  supernat- 
ural origin.  But  we  will  let  Mr.  Caughey  speak  for  himself, 
in  the  follo^ving  striking  portions  of  his  correspondence  ;  he 
says  to  an  inquiring  friend  : 

I  cannot  say  I  have  any  serious  objections  against  relating 
to  you  the  circumstances  which  led  me  to  this  singular 
decision.  I  would  have  done  so  in  my  last ;  but  I  felt  a 
hesitancy  to  tell  you,  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart,  those 
severe  exercises  of  mind  connected  with  it.  I  knew  your 
cool  and  metaphysical  turn  of  mind  so  well,  that  I  feared  to 
open  a  new  field  for  your  speculative  genius.  It  is  lil<:ely 
my  simple  story  will  excite  your  incredulity  more  than  ever. 
"  Strange,"  you  will  say,  "  that  a  man  of  sense,  and  a 
minister  of  God,  should  suffer  himself,  for  such  a  small  afiair, 
to  be  tossed  like  a  ball  into  a  far  country ;  or,  that  he  should 
suppose  such  great  effects  w^ould  be  connected  with  such 
insignificant  causes ;  that  the  infinite  God  should  stoop  to 
bring  about  such  important  events  from  means  so  small  and 
paltry !  " 


44  THE   CALL   OF   THE   SPIRIT. 

To  this  I  answer,  ^lan  always  proportions  his  means  to 
his  ends.  He  seeks  to  accomplish  great  designs  by  great 
means.  With  him,  the  cause  must  always  be  commensurate 
with  the  intended  effects.  On  the  contrary,  God  has  ever 
delighted  to  humble  the  pride  of  man,  by  bringing  about  the 
greatest  events  by  the  smallest  instrumentality.  When  dis- 
posed to  smile  at  the  trivial  matter  which  arrested  my  mind, 
and  which  prepared  it  to  take  such  an  unusual  course,  I  wish 
you  would  reflect  on  that  verse  you  have  heard  me  repeat, 
and  which  you  so  much  admire :  — 

"  A  pebble  in  the  streamlet  scant, 

Has  turned  the  course  of  many  a  river ; 
A  dew-drop  on  the  baby  plant,  ■ 

Has  warped  the  giant  oak  forever." 

You  will  remember  our  Conference  of  1839,  was  held  in  the 
city  of  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  That  year  I  was  appointed  to 
Whitehall,  N.  Y.  Shortly  after,  I  had  my  library  and  study 
furniture  forwarded  to  my  station. 

It  was  then  I  began  seriously  to  reflect  upon  the  propriety 
of  choosing  a  wife,  believing  that  '^  marriage  is  honourable  in 
all  men."  I  had  travelled  a  number  of  years,  studied  hard, 
and  expended  all  my  time  and  strength  in  winning  souls  to 
Christ.  My  brethren  approved  of  my  intention.  But  while 
indulging  in  this  purpose,  for  some  reasons  I  could  not  ex- 
plain, my  heart  became  very  hard.  The  Lord  seemed  to 
depart  from  me ;  and  that  countenance,  which  so  often 
beamed  upon  me  from  above,  and  had  daily,  for  man^  years, 
brightened  my  soul  into  rapturous  joy,  appeared  now  to  be 
mantled  in  the  thickest  gloom. 

The  more  I  reflected  thus,  "  I  can  see  no  good  reason 
why  I  should  be  singular  among  my  brethren,  nor  continue 
to  lead  this  solitary  life,"  my  heart  became  harder,  and  my 
darkness  increased.  I  was  soon  involved  in  a  variety  of  evil 
reasonings.     My  will  seemed  to  be  in  a  conflict  with  some- 


THE   CALL   OF   THE    SPIRIT.  45 

thing  invisible.  God,  who  had  honoured  me  with  such  inti- 
mate communion  w^ith  himself  since  my  conversion,  appar- 
ently left  me  to  battle  it  out  alone.  So  it  appeared  to  me 
then  ;  but  now  I  see  God  himself  was  contending  with  me. 
I  was  about  to  step  out  of  the  order  of  his  providence  ;  and 
he  was  resolved  to  prevent  it,  unless  I  should  refuse  to  under- 
stand why  he  thus  resisted  me.  Had  I  continued  the  conflict, 
I  believe  he  would  have  let  me  take  my  own  course ;  nor 
would  he  have  cast  me  off;  yet  I  solemnly  feel,  he  would 
have  severely  chastised  my  disobedience. 

My  distress  and  gloom  w^ere  so  great,  I  could  not  unpack 
my  library,  nor  arrange  my  study.  I  began  to  reflect  most 
solemnly  upon  my  unhappy  state  of  mind,  and  became  more 
concerned  to  regain  my  former  peace  and  joy  in  God,  than 
to  obtain  any  temporal  blessing  whatever.  The  world  was 
a  blank,  a  bleak  and  howling  wilderness,  to  my  soul,  without 
the  smiles  of  my  Saviour.  In  fact,  that  I  could  not  live, 
but  must  Avither  away  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  without 
his  comforting  and  satisfying  presence.  Like  a  well-chas- 
tised son,  I  came  back  to  the  feet  of  my  heavenly  Father, 
and  -with  many  tears  I  besought  him  to  reveal  his  face  to  my 
soul ;  that  if  my  purposes  were  crossing  his,  to  shoAV  me  ; 
and  whatever  was  his  will,  I  would  at  once,  by  his  help, 
yield  my  soul  unto  it.  "Lord  God,"  I  said,  "  if  my  will 
crosses  thy  will,  then  my  will  must  be  wrong ;  for  thine 
cannot  but  be  rigid. ^^  Now  I  cared  not  what  he  com- 
manded me  to  do,  or  to  leave  undone ;  I  stood  ready  to 
obey.  I  felt  assured,  clear  light  from  God  on  some  points 
would  soon  reach  my  soul ;  and  I  was  fully  prepared  for  it ; 
but  I  no  more  expected  such  an  order  as  came  soon  after, 
than  I  expected  he  would  command  me  to  fly  upward  and 
preach  the  gospel  in  another  planet.  During  three  days  I 
cried  to  God,  without  any  answer.     On  the  third  day,  in  the 


46  THE    CALL    OF   THE    SPIRIT. 

afternoon,  I  obtained  an  audience  with  the  Lord.  The  place 
was  almost  as  lonelj  as  Sinai,  where  Moses  saw  the  burning 
bush.  It  was  under  open  sky,  a  considerable  distance  from 
the  habitations  of  men ;  steep  rocks  and  mountains,  deep 
forests,  and  venomous  reptiles  surrounded  me.  Here,  and 
in  a  moment,  the  following  passage  was  given  me  to  plead : 
"  And  the  Lord  descended  in  the  cloud,  and  stood  with  him 
there,  and  proclaimed  the  name  of  the  Lord.  And  the 
Lord  passed  by  before  him,  and  proclaimed.  The  Lord, 
The  Lord  God,  merciful  and  gracious,  long-suffering,  and 
abundant  in  goodness  and  truth,  keeping  mercy  for  thousands, 
forgiving  iniquity  and  transgression  and  sm,  and  that  ^vill 
by  no  means  clear  tiie  guilty."  Exod.  xxxiv.  5 — 7.  I  took 
hold  of  this ;  many  of  the  words  were  as  fire,  and  as  a 
hammer  to  break  the  rocks  in  pieces  before  the  Lord.  The 
fountains  of  tears  were  opened,  and  the  great  deep  of  my 
heart  was  broken  up.  I  left  the  place,  however,  without 
receiving  any  light ;  but  my  heart  was  fully  softened  and 
subdued,  and  I  felt  assured  I  had  prevailed  in  some  way 
with  God.  I  was  confident  light  and  direction  were  coming ; 
but  of  what  nature  I  could  not  tell. 

This  was  on  the  9th  of  July,  1839.  The  same  evening, 
about  twilight,  eternal  glory  be  to  God  !  when  reading  in  a 
small  room  adjoining  my  study,  a  light,  as  I  conceived  from 
heaven,  reached  me.  My  soul  was  singularly  calmed  and 
warned  by  a  strange  visitation.  In  the  moment  I  recognised 
the  change  ;  the  following,  in  substance,  was  spoken  to  my 
heart ;  but  in  a  manner,  and  with  a  rapidity,  I  cannot  pos- 
sibly describe.  Every  ray  of  divine  glory  seemed  to  be  a 
word  that  the  eye  of  my  soul  could  read,  a  sentence  which 
my  judgment  could  perceive  and  understand :  "  These 
matters  which  trouble  thee,  must  be  let  entirely  alone.  The 
will  of  God  is,  that  thou  shouldst  visit  Europe.     He  shall  be 


THE   CALL   OF    THE     SPIRIT.  47 

with  thee  there,  and  give  thee  many  seals  to  thy  ministry. 
He  has  provided  thee  -with  funds.  Make  thy  arrangements 
accordingly ;  and  next  Conference,  ask  liberty  from  the 
proper  authorities,  and  it  shall  be  granted  thee.  Visit 
Canada  first ;  when  this  is  done,  sail  for  England.  God 
shall  be  with  thee  there,  and  thou  shalt  have  no  want  in  all 
thy  journeymgs  ;  and  thou  shalt  be  brought  back  in  safety 
again  to  America." 

The  above  is  far  beneath  the  dignity  and  gi-andeur  of  the 
revelation.  It  came  in  a  way  which  left  no  room  for  a 
doubt.  A  heavenly  calm,  a  powerful  persuasion,  and  an 
intense  glow  of  divine  love,  accompanied  the  whole.  It 
was  like  the  breaking  forth  of  the  noon-day  sun  at  midnight. 
I  fell  upon  my  knees  before  the  Lord,  my  whole  mind 
consenting  to  the  orders,  which  I  believed  had  come  from 
heaven.  Oh !  the  sweetness  of  that  communion  I  then 
enjoyed  with  God  1  IMy  sky  was  cloudless.  My  rest  of 
soul  imutterable.  The  meaning  of  many  past  providences 
was  now  explained.  The  possession  of  a  few  hundreds  of 
dollars,  had  often  made  me  very  uneasy.  I  doubted  the 
propriety  of  laying  up  treasure  on  earth.  The  cause  of 
missions  stood  in  need  of  what  I  possessed,  but  still  I  was 
restrained.  Now  I  clearly  saw  that  God  had  provided  me 
with  these  funds,  in  order  to  make  me  willing  to  obey  the 
call,  and  to  save  me  from  embarrassment  in  my  travels.  I 
could  perceive  a  special  reason,  why  I  had  pressed  forward 
in  my  studies  for  so  many  years,  and  why  revival  texts  and 
sermons  had  occupied  so  much  of  my  time  ;  — that  God  had 
been  thus  preparing  me  for  a  few  campaigns  in  Europe. 

I  arose  from  my  knees  under  a  strong  conviction  that  God 
had  called  me  to  take  this  tour.  Letters  were  written  im- 
mediately to  Canada,  etc.  The  next  day  my  soul  was 
calm  and  happy.     My  books  were  unpacked,  and  everything 


48  THE    CALL    OF   THE    SPIRIT. 

in  mj  study  arranged  with  a  glad  heart  and  free.  Eleven 
months  were  before  me,  to  criticise  the  impressions  on  my  soul. 
With  delight  I  commenced  my  pastoral  work,  visited  from 
house  to  house,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  a  most 
powerful  revival  of  rehgion  in  my  circuit.  During  this 
period,  not  the  least  wish  entered  my  heart  to  form 
any  connection  or  engagement  whatever,  that  would 
entangle  or  hinder  me  from  fulfilling,  what  I  conceived 
to  be,  the  high  and  solemn  commission  I  had  received  from 
the  Lord.  I  continued  to  resign  the  whole  matter  to  God, 
entreating  him  to  overrule  all  to  liis  glory,  and  to  hedge 
up  my  way,  if  it  were  not  liis  will  I  should  leave  America. 

The  time  for  the  sitting  of  Conference  arrived.  With 
solemn  feelings  I  took  my  seat  with  my  brethren.  They 
were  never  dearer  to  my  heart  than  now.  At  a  proper 
time,  I  presented  my  request  to  the  Bishop.  He  made  no 
objections,  but  immediately  proposed  it  to  the  Conference. 
After  a  few  moments  deliberation,  they  seemed  to  have 
but  one  mind  on  the  subject ;  that  I  should  have  liberty  to 
visit  Europe.  A  resolution  to  that  effect  was  passed,  and 
that  my  name  should  continue  to  appear  as  usual  on  the 
printed  minutes.  One  of  the  chief  men  of  the  Conference 
then  arose,  and  said,  "Having  permitted  Brother  Caughey 
to  visit  Europe,  it  is  our  duty  to  make  his  visit  to  those  countries 
as  pleasant  to  himself  as  it  is  in  our  power.  I  therefore  propose, 
that  he  have  a  recommendation  from  this  body  to  the  Wes- 
leyan  Connection  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  signed  by  the 
Bishop  and  Secretary  of  Conference."  Adding,  "He  will 
then  appear  among  our  brethren  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic,  as  an  accredited  Minister  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  in  America." 

This  proposal  was  immediately  acceded  to,  and  submitted 
to  the  Bishop.     He  replied,  that  he  had  no  objections,  and 


THE    CALL   OF   THE    SPIIIIT.  49 

requested  me  to  wait  upon  him  at  his  lodgings.  I  did  so. 
He  entered  into  conversation  with  the  freedom  and  tender- 
ness of  a  father.  Never  before  did  I  see  such  majesty, 
connected  with  extreme  age.  His  hair,  white  as  snow,  fell 
in  graceful  locks  upon  his  shoulders ;  and  his  masculine 
mind,  unimpaired  by  years,  shone  forth  in  company  with  a 
deep  and  glo^^ng  piety.  I  thought  of  St.  Paul,  of  John, 
of  one  of  the  old  patriarchs.  I  loved,  admired,  and  rever- 
enced him.  After  an  interview  of  half  an  hour,  in  wliich 
the  Bishop  appeared  to  be  greatly  interested,  he  presented 
me  with  the  folio wmg  document :  — 

"TROY   CONFERENCE. 

"  MiDDLEBLTiY,  Yt.,  June  24,  1840. 

"  Brother  James  Caughey  having  asked  permission  of  the 
Conference,  to  visit  his  friends  residing  in  Europe, — 

"  On  motion,  it  was  resolved.  That  Brother  Caughey's 
request  be  granted,  and  that  he  be  so  retui-ned  on  the 
minutes. 

"And  it  is  hereby  certified,  that  the  said  J.  Caughey  is  in 
good  standing  in  the  Troy  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America ;  and, 
as  such,  is  cordially  commended  to  the  Christian  fellowship 
of  the  "Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection  m  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland. 

"R.  R.  Roberts,  President. 
"J.  B.  HouGHTALiXG,  Secretary. 
Troy  Conference." 

I  have  thus,  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart,  related  to  you 
my  singular  experience,  and  the  circumstances  which  led 
me  to  take  the  course  I  have  taken.  •  •         * 

5 


50  THE    CALL    OF   THE    SPIRIT. 

These  great  changes  in  Mr.  Caughey's  liistory,  caused 
by  such  supernatural  experiences,  were  not  rushed  upon 
without  a  clear  perception  and  due  consideration  of  the  diffi- 
culties they  involved,  as  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  to  a 
friend,  who  had  written  him  on  this  point,  will  show  : 

I  think  I  feel  the  full  weight  of  every  question  you  have 
proposed.  I  have  set  them  down  carefully,  one  by  one,  that 
you  may  see  they  have  all  arrested  my  attention ;  and  that, 
writing  them  off,  and  having  them  before  my  eyes,  I  might 
be  affected  by  them,  and  answer  them  most  sincerely.  I  am 
not  aware,  however,  that  they  have  created  the  least  un- 
easiness, or  in  any  degree  shaken  the  purpose  of  my  heart. 
My  call  to  visit  Europe  seems  quite  as  clear  as  to  preach  the 
gospel.     It  does  seem  — 

"  A  part  of  my  being  beyond  my  control." 

I  candidly  admit  that  there  is  a  thick  mist  spread  over 
my  usefulness  on  the  other  side  ;  but  sometimes,  through  the 
haze,  I  can  see  great  multitudes  of  sinners  coming  home  to 
God  through  my  instrumentality.  I  have  also  a  solemn  im- 
pression, that  the  salvation,  or  damnation  of  thousands,  may 
depend  upon  whether  I  obey  or  reject  the  call.  I  may  also 
add,  my  impression  is  constant,  that  if  I  refuse  to  go,  God 
will  permit  many  troubles  to  come  upon  me  in  America,  and 
that  I  shall,  through  future  hfe,  be  ever  after  sorry  I  did  not 
obey. 

Mr.  Caughey's  convictions  of  the  reality  of  his  divine  call 
seem  never  to  have  faded,  nor  did  his  confidence  in  their 
genuineness  fail  him,  as  will  appear  by  the  following  passage 
in  another  of  his  letters.     He  says : 


THE   CALL   OF   THE    SPIRIT.  61 

I  remember  walking  one  afternoon  in  a  retired  spot,  some 
months  before  I  sailed  for  Europe.  It  had  been  named 
Providence-path,  because  there  I  had  prevailed  with  God  in 
a  time  of  great  distress  connected  with  my  present  tour. 
All  the  past  providences  of  the  Lord,  and  manifestations  to 
mj  soul,  came  up  before  my  mind  in  a  manner  similar  to 
that  part  of  Ezekiel's  vision :  "  The  appearance  of  wheels  — 
and  their  work  was  as  it  were  a  wheel  in  the  middle  of  a 
wheel."  I  saw  how  one  wheel  had  worked  into  another,  and 
started  a  third,  and  fourth,  and  so  on  till  the  ^eat  wheel  for 
Europe  was  set  in  slow  motion.  Beyond  this  wheel  I  could 
not  see.  Then  there  were  small  wheels  within  wheels,  but 
all  working,  Rom.  viii.  28,  and  contributing  to  the  great 
events  of  my  life.  I  could  name  every  wheel,  and  the  re- 
sults it  produced  upon  the  one  it  set  in  motion.  I  wondered, 
admired,  and  adored.  Before  leaving  the  favourite  walk,  I 
traced  the  whole  gently  upon  the  bark  of  a  tree  ;  but  in  my 
absence  some  rogue  came,  cut  it  down,  and  carried  it  off,  I 
knew  not  whither.  My  diagrams  I  hoped  might  re- 
main till  I  returned  from  Europe,  when,  perhaps,  a  few 
more  wheels  might  be  added.  They  are,  however,  too  deeply 
traced  upon  my  memory  ever  to  be  obhterated  in  time  or 
eternity. 

The  following  extract  from  another  letter  will  show  how 
carefully  Mr.  Caughey  analyzed  his  mental  operations.  He 
did  not  grasp  his  impressions  blindly,  hastily,  or  carelessly, 
but  with  solemn  and  serious  care,  sought  to  discern  what  was 
human  and  what  was  divine  in  his  feelings.  On  this  point  he 
writes : 

To  your  inquiry,  "  Did  you  feel  condemnation  on  account 
of  sin  durmg  your  trials  in  July,  1839  ? "  I  answer,  No.  I 
felt  no  condemnation,  though  perhaps  I  deserved  it.     But  a 


62  THE    CALL    OF   THE    SPIRIT. 

restraint  was  upon  me,  which  greatly  distressed  my  soul ; 
and  when  I  began  to  suspect,  that  the  step  might  be  con- 
trary to  the  will  of  God,  I  felt  worse  and  worse.  The  con- 
flicting arguments  for  and  against,  drew  me  out  of  my  rest 
in  God.  I  had  arisen  to  transact  my  own  concerns  in  my 
own  way,  and  being  unhinged  from  my  centre,  I  was  dis- 
contented and  unhappy. 

There  is,  however,  a  mystery  about  those  deep  exercises, 
which  I  fear  to  explain,  lest  it  would  seem  to  contradict  the 
reproach  I  have  cast  upon  myself.  I  have  seriously  doubted, 
whether  I  should  have  entertained  the  call  to  visit  Europe, 
for  a  single  moment,  had  I  not  been  previously  prepared  by 
those  mental  troubles.  As  it  was,  I  gladly  accepted  any 
proposition  which  would  relieve  me  from  my  sore  conflicts, 
and  bring  again  to  my  heart  the  comforting  presence  of  God. 
But  then  God  could  have  ordered  another  kind  of  discipline 
to  prepare  me  for  obedience,  though  my  foolish  heart  had 
w^andered  from  him.  As  it  was,  if  God  did  design  to 
send  me  on  this  errand  of  mercy,  it  became  necessary,  I 
think,  in  this  juncture  of  my  history,  that  I  should  know  it ; 
and  when  it  could  be  no  longer  concealed  from  me,  without 
endangering  the  whole,  the  Lord  then  revealed  his  will.  Here 
I  must  leave  it  for  the  present.  The  present  I  know ;  the 
past  also;  but  ^\q  future  is  a  dark  unkno^m. 

"  If  light  attends  the  course  I  run, 
'T  is  he  provides  these  rays  ; 
And't  is  his  hand  that  veils  my  sun, 
If  darkness  clouds  my  days." 


CHAPTER    VI. 


FIRST     FRUITS. 


Havixg  made  his  arrangements  to  obey  the  heavenly  call, 
Mr.  Caughey  started  for  Canada  to  test,  by  actual  conflict, 
the  genuineness  of  the  impressions  so  touchingly  described 
in  the  last  chapter.  We  are  sure  the  reader  will  follow  him 
with  growing  and  eager  interest,  in  his  descriptions  of  the 
scenes  enacted  during  this  tour  in  Canada.  The  following 
letter  was  written  on  board  a  steamer  descending  the  river 
St.  Lawrence  :  — 

Dear  Friend  : — You  will  feel  interested  to  hear,  where 
I  have  been,  and  what  I  have  been  doing,  since  I  last  saw 
you.  I  obtained  liberty  from  Conference  to  visit  Europe, 
(June  24th,  1840,)  but  having  some  of  my  temporal  affairs 
to  arrange,  I  did  not  leave  the  United  States  till  the  17th 
of  September.  On  that  evening  I  sailed  from  Burlington, 
y t. ,  in  the  steamer  Burlington,  Capt.  Sherman  ;  —  walked 
the  deck  till  midnight,  agitated  with  a  great  variety  of  emo- 
tions, and  distressed  with  many  conflicts.  My  way  seemed 
dark  and  mysterious.  Rough  weather  setting  in,  drove  me 
to  my  berth,  sick.  The  next  morning  I  landed  at  St.  John's. 
I  had  been  invited  to  visit  that  town,  and  an  offer  of  accom- 
modation had  been  made  to  me.  Yet  I  thought  it  most 
prudent,  all  things  considered,  to  go  direct  to  the  hotel. 

The  next  day  was  rainy,  and  the  weather  continued  wet 
5*  53 


64  FIRST   FRUITS. 

for  three  days  in  succession.  I  found  the  place  had 
been  deserted  by  the  Methodist  preachers  as  hopeless. 
There  was  no  chapel,  and  the  little  class  had  been  broken  up 
and  scattered.  A  strong  desire  to  remain  a  few  days,  and 
by  God's  help  to  do  some  good,  induced  me  to  make  arrange- 
ments accordingly.  Preaching  was  appointed  in  a  private 
house,  but  very  few  attended ;  and  for  several  nights  Httle 
or  no  effect  was  produced,  and  no  increase  of  congregation. 
I  kept  up  good  heart  till  Sabbath  ;  when  the  enemy  came  in 
like  a  flood.  My  soul  was  sorely  buffeted,  and  my  prospects 
covered  with  gloom.  Two  ideas  were  continually  before  my 
mind.  First.  That  I  had  done  wrong  in  asking  permission 
to  take  tliistour.  Second.  It  is  going  to  be  a  total  failure, 
as  it  respects  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

The  devil  roared  against  me,  and  my  heart  sank  within 
me.  Providentially,  I  had  in  my  possession  a  volume  writ- 
ten by  an  old  Scotch  divine.  I  took  it  up  and  opened  on  his 
comment  upon  the  second  verse  of  the  one  hundredth  Psalm, 
"  Serve  the  Lord  with  gladness."  "  Your  serving  him  doth 
not  glorify  him,  unless  it  be  with  gladness.  A  Christian's 
cheerful  looks  glorify  God.  We  glorify  God  by  walking 
cheerfully.  It  is  a  glory  to  God,  when  the  world  sees  a 
Christian  hath  that  within  him  that  can  make  him  cheerful 
in  the  worst  times.  He  can,  with  the  nightingale,  sing  with 
a  thorn  at  his  breast.  The  people  of  God  have  ground  of 
cheerfulness.  They  are  justified,  and  instated  into  adoption, 
and  this  creates  inward  peace;  it  makes  music  within, 
whn,tever  storms  are  without.  If  we  consider  what  Christ 
hath  wrought /or  us  by  his  blood,  and  wrought  in  us  by  his 
Spirit,  it  is  a  ground  of  cheerfulness  ;  and  this  cheerfulness 
glorifies  God.  It  reflects  upon  a  master,  when  the  servant 
is  always  drooping  and  sad ;  sure  he  is  kept  at  hard  com- 
mons ;    his  master  does  not  give  him  what  is  fitting :  so 


FIliST   FRUITS.  65 

when  God's  people  hang  their  harps  on  willows,  sui-e  they 
do  not  serve  a  good  master,  and  repent  of  their  choice ; 
this  reflects  dishonour  upon  God.  As  the  gross  sins  of  the 
wicked  bring  scandal  upon  the  gospel,  so  do  the  uncheerful 
lives  of  the  godly.  Religion  doth  not  take  away  our  joy,  but 
refines  and  clarifies  it.  It  doth  not  break  our  viol,  but  it 
tunes  and  makes  our  music  sweeter."  I  need  scarcely  tell 
you  that  I  felt  ashamed  of  myself.  jSIy  heart  was  much 
comforted.  The  dark  cloud  floated  away,  and  sunshine 
spread  its  brightness  over  all  the  prospects  of  my  tour,  both 
in  Canada  and  Europe. 

Finding  I  could  make  no  impression  upon  the  population 
in  a  private  house  I  looked  around  for  another  place.  In  a 
few  hours  an  old  deserted  tamiery  building  presented  itself. 
It  was  almost  filled  with  lumber  and  tan  bark.  Two  good 
women,  who  washed  for  the  steamboats,  offered  to  help  me 
to  clean  it  out.  They  brought  along  with  them  two 
Canadian  girls,  their  servants.  I  threw  off"  my  coat  and 
went  to  work,  hired  a  Canadian  to  cart  some  benches,  and 
before  night  we  had  the  place  ready  for  preaching. 

The  report  circulated,  the  population  got  interested,  and 
the  next  night  I  had  a  good  congregation.  A  few  pointed 
appeals  brought  some  of  them  to  tears.  I  cannot  give  you 
all  the  particulars,  but  sinners  were  awakened  daily  and 
converted  to  God.  A  class  was  formed  of  fifty-three  members. 
Myself  and  another  brother  went  from  house  to  house  in 
order  to  raise  a  subscription  to  build  a  chapel,  and  succeeded 
to  the  amount  of  nearly  seven  hundred  dollars.  So,  after 
spending  three  weeks,  and  preaching  twenty-sLx  sermons,  I 
bade  the  little  flock  farewell  on  the  8th  of  October,  leaving 
them  in  the  care  of  two  class-leaders.  I  had  been  only  a 
few  days  in  St.  John's,  when  I  was  invited  to  another  hotel, 
kept  by  Mrs.  Watson.     Upon  offering  to  pay  my  bill,  she 


66  FIUST   FRUITS. 

would  not  accept  a  penny.  May  the  Lord  reward  her  in 
the  resurrection!  She  also  cheerfully  and  generously  sub- 
scribed to  the  chapel. 

On  the  night  of  the  8th  of  October,  I  preached  at  La 
Prairie,  a  village  on  the  banks  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  opposite 
Montreal.  There  was  a  very  gracious  influence  during 
the  service,  and  I  trust  good  was  done.  Next  morning  I 
crossed  the  river  to  Montreal.  Here  I  received  a  hearty 
welcome  from  many  of  my  old  friends. 

My  first  acquaintance  with  this  people  was  formed  in 
1835,  when  about  four  hundred  sinners  were  converted  to 
God.  I  also  revisited  them  in  1837,  during  another  revival, 
and  spent  a  month.  I  was  kindly  entertained  during  my 
stay  this  time,  first  at  the  house  of  John  Mathewson,  Esq., 
and  then  at  the  house  of  James  Farrier,  Esq.  Precious 
families  !  I  shall  long  remember  with  gratitude  their  kind- 
ness. Spent  eighteen  days,  preached  eighteen  sermons,  and 
about  twenty  souls  were  converted  to  God.  There  were  for 
some  time,  strong  and  convincing  signs  of  an  extensive 
revival,  as  though  God  intended  to  shake  the  whole  city, 
but  the  devil  created  discord.  The  people  of  God 
were  not  united.  Some  wished  me  to  stay,  while  others 
greatly  desired  I  should  "  depart  out  of  their  coasts."  About 
this  time  the  Lord  stirred  up  the  brethren  at  Quebec  to  cry 
to  God  for  a  revival.  My  kind  friend,  the  Rev.  William  M. 
Harvard,  being  Superintendent,  informed  them  that  I  was  in 
Montreal ;  and,  at  his  suggestion,  they  unanimously  invited 
me  to  pay  them  a  visit.  My  way  being  hedged  up  most 
singularly  at  ^lontreal,  I  quietly  bade  them  farewell,  and 
went  aboard  a  steamer  about  nine  o'clock  on  the  night  of 
the  27th  October.  My  heart  was  deeply  affected  with  the 
kindness  of  many  of  my  friends ;  I  could  mention  their 
names,  but,  as  they  are  strangers  to  you,   it    is   perhaps 


FIRST  FRUITS.  67 

unnecessary.  Thej  are,  however,  very,  very  dear  to  my 
heart. 

"  Ah !  there  are  spirits  in  this  fretful  world, 

Which  grow  not  old,  and  change  not  with  the  seasons." 

When  morning  light  came,  I  found  I  had  mistaken  the 
vessel,  and  had  got  aboard  a  freight  steamer^  which  had 
three  vessels  in  tow  ;  a  ship,  a  brig,  and  a  barge.  Every- 
thing indicated  we  were  going  to  have  a  tedious  passage. 
To  help  the  matter,  when  we  were  near  the  centre  of  lake 
St.  Peter's,  the  pilot  got  deceived  by  the  Hghthouse-ship, 
which  had  drifted  from  her  moorings,  by  a  heavy  gale,  a  few 
hours  before.  So  he  steered  by  the  false  guide ^  as  some 
Christians  do  by  backslidden  or  unconverted  ministers  ;  and 
so  get  on  the  shallows,  as  w^e  did.  The  sliip  we  had  in  tow 
sti*uck,  and  stuck  fast.  Finding  her  unmovable,  we  were 
compelled  to  remain  in  the  lake  all  night,  and  lighten  the 
ship. 

The  captain  reproached  the  pilot,  that  in  the  blaze  of  day 
he  should  run  so  bhndly  out  of  the  channel.  The  poor  pilot 
laid  the  blame  on  the  light-ship,  as  Adam  did  on  Eve. 
Then  I  reflected  thus ; — 

Ministers  and  old  professors,  may  be  compared  to  that 
light-ship.  Two  passages  will  confiiTQ  the  application.  Phil, 
iii.  17.  "Brethren,  be  followers  together  of  me,  and  mark 
them  which  walk  so  as  ye  have  us  for  an  ensample."  Phil, 
ii.  15,  16.  "  That  ye  may  be  blameless  and  harmless,  the 
sons  of  God,  without  rebuke,  in  the  midst  of  a  crooked 
and  perverse  nation,  among  icliom  ye  slvine  as  lights  in  the 
world ;  holding  forth  the  word  of  life ;  that  I  may  rejoice 
in  the  day  of  Christ,  that  I  have  not  run  in  vain,  neither  la- 
boured m  vain."  An  able  writer  comments  upon  "holding 
forth  the  word  of  life,"  thus  :  "  An  allusion,  some  think,  to 
those  towers  which  were  built  at  the  entrance  of  harbours,  on 


68  FIRST   FRUITS. 

which  fires  were  kept  during  the  night,  to  direct  ships  into  port. 
Genuine  Christians,  by  their  holy  Uves  and  conversation,  are 
the  means  of  directing  others,  not  only  how  to  escape  those 
dangers  to  which  they  are  exposed  on  the  tempestuous  ocean 
of  human  hfe,  but  also  of  leading  them  into  the  haven  of 
eternal  safety  and  rest.  '  That  I  have  not  run  in  vain.' 
This  appears  to  be  a  part  of  the  same  metaphor  ;  and  alludes 
to  the  case  of  a  weather-beaten  mariner,  who  has  been 
long  tossed  on  a  tempestuous  sea,  in  hazy  weather  and  dark 
nights  ;  who  has  been  obHged  to  run  on  different  tacks,  and 
labour  intensely  to  keep  his  ship  from  foundering ;  but  is, 
at  last,  by  the  assistance  of  a  luminous  fire  on  the  top  of 
the  tower,  directed  safely  into  the  port." 

The  meaning  of  these  passages  is  evident.  The  word 
towers,  in  the  above  extract,  is  very  expressive.  I  wish  all 
the  lovers  of  Christ  were  as  permanent.  I  have  often 
admired  the  lines, 

"  Strong  in  thy  strength  I'll  stand  a  tower, 
Impregnable  to  earth  or  hell." 

Alas !  they  mostly  resemble  these  floating  lights ;  and, 
much  as  the  event  may  jeopardize  others,  they  are  too  often 
driven  from  their  mooring. 

Now,  I  thought,  so  long  as  they  keep  in  the  right  channel 
of  life,  in  the  position  designed  them  by  Grod ;  their  anchor- 
age ground,  the  Bible  and  the  atonement ;  their  anchor,  the 
hope  of  eternal  life ;  faith  their  cable,  reaching  unto  that 
which  entereth  within  the  vail ;  Heb.  vi.  19  ;  in  the  meantime 
holding  up  the  fight  of  profession,  supported  by  a  holy  life 
and  godly  conversation;  then,  indeed,  they  are  lights  and 
guides  which  may  be  depended  upon. 

But  should  they  be  set  adrift  by  the  storms  of  temptation, 
break  their  cable,  or  drag  their  anchor  into  the  regions  of 


FIRST   FRUITS.  59 

error,  keeping  up  at  the  same  time  the  old  lamp  of  profession ; 
then,  if  we  depend  upon  and  steer  our  course  by  them,  we 
shall  most  assuredly  get  aground  upon  the  shallows  of  luke- 
warmness  and  spiritual  death,  or  upon  the  rocks  of  open 
sin,  and  make  shipwreck  of  faith  and  of  a  good  conscience. 
Now,  I  continued  to  reflect,  what  these  landmarks  should 
have  been  to  our  pilot,  the  Bible  is  designed  to  be  to  all 
sincere  Christians.  "Thy  word,"  says  the  Psalmist,  "is  a 
lamp  to  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path."  And,  says  St. 
Peter,  "  We  have  also  a  more  sure  word  of  prophecy  ;  where- 
unto  ye  do  well  that  ye  take  heed  as  unto  a  light  that  shine th 
in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star  arise 
in  your  hearts."  Our  pilot  should  have  tried  the  position 
of  that  light-ship,  by  the  adjacent  landmarks,  before  he  had 
ventured  to  follow^  it ;  and  we  should  endeavour  to  ascertain 
the  scriptural  character  of  the  doctrmes,  lives,  and  experience, 
of  all  ministers  and  Christians,  who  offer  to  guide  us,  before 
we  intrust  our  souls  to  their  care.  God  will  no  more  excuse 
us  for  having  been  led  astray  by  any  of  them,  than  our 
captain  would  the  unhappy  pilot.  "  If  the  bhnd  lead  the 
blind,"  says  Jesus,  "  they  shall  both  fall  into  the  ditch," 
that  is,  into  hell !  That  vessel  with  her  light  was  once,  and 
only  a  few  hours  ago,  in  the  best  position  she  could  occupy ;  but 
what  shall  we  say  of  those  professed  ministers  of  Christ,  and 
those  nominal  Christians,  who,  by  their  own  confession,  allow 
they  have  never  been  bom  again,  and  who  positively  deny 
that  any  man  can  know  his  sins  forgiven ;  but  who,  at  the 
same  time,  attempt  to  direct  others  in  the  way  to  heaven  ? 
This  deceitful  light-ship  occasioned  the  running  two 
vessels  aground  ;  and  the  rest  had  to  tarry  beside  them 
during  a  long  and  dark  night,  while  we  served  as  beacons 
to  other  vessels,  which  passed  us  in  the  darkness.  Such 
clergymen  and  professors  rum  thousands  of  immortal  souls. 


60  FIRST   FRUITS. 

The  niglit  becoming  cold  and  dark,  I  left  the  deck,  and 
spent  a  few  hours  in  the  main  cabin,  readmg  and  writing 
very  comfortably. 

Yesterday  morning  we  again  got  under  weigh,  and  con- 
tinued our  course  down  the  river.  Night  brought  on  bad 
weather,  with  rain  and  deep  darkness,  so  we  crept  towards 
the  shore,  and  lay  in  a  place  of  shelter  till  morning. 

We  are  now  moving  forward,  and  hope  to  arrive  at  Quebec 
this  afternoon.  I  have  an  elegant  and  spacious  cabin  almost 
to  myself,  for  the  passengers  are  few.  My  time  is  employed 
in  writing,  reading,  and  praying.  This  season  of  rest  is 
most  refreshing  to  my  body,  and  God  is  deepening  his  work 
m  my  soul. 

The  narrative  is  continued  in  the  following  letter  written 
from  the  city  of  Quebec,  Lower  Canada. 

My  last  was  dated  aboard  the  steamer  on  my  way  to  this 
city.  I  landed  on  the  same  day  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon.  The  society  had  received  imformation  that  I 
had  left  Montreal  for  Quebec,  and  were  waiting  for  me  in 
the  large  school-room  adjoining  the  chapel.  Brother  Selley, 
the  junior  preacher,  met  me  on  the  quay  ;  we  Avalked  straight 
to  the  chapel,  where  I  preached  from,  1  John  ii.  1  —  3.  I 
received  a  most  hearty  welcome  from  my  old  friends,  and 
from  none  more  than  from  my  warm  friend  Mr.  Harvard. 

Many  changes  have  taken  place  since  I  was  here  last. 
You  have  heard  me  speak  of  my  Quebec  home  at  Mr. 
M'Leod's.  He  and  his  dear  \vife  gave  me  a  most  cordial 
welcome.  I  felt  at  home  the  moment  I  entered  their  house. 
On  retiring  to  my  room,  I  found  that  the  God  of  Jacob  had 
not  forsaken  their  dwelling.  In  a  moment  I  was  filled  with 
love  and  joy.  I  came  down  stairs  praising  God.  Mrs. 
M'L.  looked  at  me,  but  said  nothing.     The  Spirit  of  God 


FIRST   FKUITS.  61 

was  working  most  powerfully  upon  her  soul.  She  had  lost 
the  blessing  of  entire  sanctification  ;  but  a  few  days  after 
this  she  obtained  it  again.  She  then  told  me,  "  When  you 
came  into  our  house,  I  was  anxious  to  see  whether  you  still 
retained  the  holiness  and  simplicity  you  had  when  here  last. 
I  was  not  quite  sure  about  it ;  but  when  you  came  down 
stairs,  praising  God,  I  was  then  convinced  that  years  had 
made  no  change  in  your  religious  character.  I  was  greatly 
troubled  at  my  own  conscious  loss.  My  spirit  had  no  rest 
till  I  told  you  my  unhappy  state  of  mind.  The  Lord 
assisted  you  ui  spreading  my  case  before  him,  and  now  I 
have  regauied  all  I  had  lost."  I  rejoice  to  tell  you  that 
there  are  many  such  heavenly-minded  spirits  in  this  city. 
We  have  a  precious  society  here.  I  say  we,  because  the 
INIethodist  people  are  one  the  world  over.  The  Quebec 
Methodists,  however,  are  the  most  lovmg  people  I  have  ever 
met,  and  the  most  devoted  to  God. 

We  have  had  a  severe  conflict  since  my  arrival.  During 
the  first  few^  weeks  the  devil  threatened  to  drive  us  from  the 
field.  Sinners  were  as  hard  as  marble.  It  seemed  as  if  we 
could  make  no  impression  whatever  upon  them.  As  this  was 
no  new  scene  to  me,  I  felt  confident,  if  the  people  of  God 
would  only  stand  by  me  in  mighty  prayer,  the  arm  of  God 
would  be  made  bare  in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

They  did  stand  by  me,  nor  did  they  flinch  a  moment  till 
we  had  the  victory.  The  weapons  of  our  warfare  were  ''  not 
carnal,  but  mighty  through  God,  to  the  pulhng  do-^n  of 
strongholds ;  casting  down  imaginations,  and  every  high 
thing  that  would  exalt  itself  against  the  knowledge  of 
Christ."  Ten  sermons  a  week,  with  many  exhortations, 
were  discharged  against  the  dark  works  of  the  de\il.  Many 
sinners,  who  were  awakened  when  I  was  here  in  1835,  re- 
membered their  old  terrors,  and  avoided  our  meetings,  and 
6 


62  FIRST   FRUITS. 

did  what  thej  could  to  liiiider  others.  Wretched  souls  !  I 
believe  that  some  of  them  were  kept  out  of  hell  all  these 
years  that  they  might  have  an  opportunity  to  see  and  feel 
the  power  of  a  revival  in  1840.  The  Lord,  however,  drove 
sinners  under  the  word.  The  burning  truths  of  God  were 
thrown  into  their  intrenchments  incessantly.  Day  and  night 
they  were  cannonaded.  Many  of  the  wicked  were  wounded, 
and  fled  in  terror,  crying  out,  "  They  are  mad !  they  are 
mad!"  but  their  places  were  filled  up  by  others.  Hard 
things  were  spoken  against  us ;  but  they  did  not  move  us. 
The  people  of  God  carried  victory  in  their  very  faces.  It 
was  a  scene  of  awful  grandeur.  When  their  faith  was  at 
a  climax,  oh !  how  they  sang,  — 

*'  We  are  soldiers,  fighting  for  our  God, 
Let  trembling  cowards  fly  ; 
We  '11  stand  unshaken,  firm  and  fixed, 
For  Chi'ist  to  live  and  die. 

"  Let  devils  rage,  and  hell  assail, 

We  '11  fight  our  passage  through ; 
Let  foes  unite,  let  friends  desert, 
We  '11  seize  the  crown,  our  due." 

At  last  there  arose  a  general  cry  among  the  wicked.  Sin- 
ners were  cut  to  pieces  on  every  hand ;  and  since  then  the 
revival  has  spread  among  the  people  with  astonishing  power. 
High  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  learned  and  unlearned,  old 
and  young,  are  seen  at  the  altar  of  God  pleading  for  mercy. 
About  the  time  of  our  hardest  conflict,  as  I  was  standing 
within  the  communion  rail,  looking  upwards  to  the  gallery, 
I  noticed  two  young  men  trifling.  I  learned  afterwards  that 
the  cause  was  this :  As  I  was  looking  up,  one  of  the  young 
men  said  to  the  other,  "  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  that 
chap,"  meaning  me,  ''  will  come  up  here." 

This  caused  the  other  sinner  to  burst  into  a  laugh.     In- 
stantly it  was  suggested  to  my  mind,  "  Go  up,  go  up."     I 


FIRST   FRUITS.  63 

did  so,  and  the  one  wlio  had  made  the  remark,  looking  over 
his  shoulder,  as  I  appeared  on  the  gallery,  exclaimed,  "  I 
say,  if  he  is  not  coming  ! " 

I  advanced  rapidly,  and  they  could  not  get  away.  I  put 
my  hands  upon  them,  and  urged  them  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come.  The  one  who  had  been  the  chief  speaker  was 
greatly  agitated,  and  the  next  night  was  at  the  altar  in  great 
distress.  He  obtained  mercy  from  God,  and  has  joined 
the  society.  What  the  result  will  be  with  the  other  I  know 
not. 

I  was  informed  the  other  day,  that  an  officer  of  the  gar- 
rison came  to  one  of  our  meetings,  to  see  what  truth  there 
was  in  the  strange  reports  he  had  heard.  There  was  a 
powerful  influence  from  God  upon  the  people  that  night. 
Poor  fellow  !  he  felt  it  also,  but  got  frightened  and  fled  from 
the  chapel.  He  told  a  friend  afterwards,  "  "VNTiy,  Sir,  I  was 
sitting  in  the  congregation,  and  I  saw  that  man,"  meaning 
me,  "  coming.  He  put  his  two  hands  upon  a  man's  head, 
and  prayed  over  him,  and  then  took  him  to  the  altar.  Well, 
Sir,  he  came  again  and  did  the  same  to  another ;  and  then 
to  another  ;  and  he  was  coming  straight  to  do  the  same  to 
me  ;  but,  Sir,  I  started  from  my  seat,  and  ran  out  of  the 
chapel,  and  along  the  street  as  hard  as  I  could ;  a  thing  I 
have  never  yet  done  before  an  enemy."  So  true  is  that 
saying,   "  The  wicked  flee  when  no  man  pursueth." 

The  devil  is  losing  his  servants  daily.  A  few  nights  ago 
a  man  of  extensive  business  was  present  at  the  chapel.  His 
wife,  a  few  days  before,  had  been  converted  to  God.  She 
had  long  been  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  had 
never  been  "bom  again."  He  was  very  uneasy  about  his 
soul ;  but  the  devil  would  not  let  him  come  forward  to  be 
prayed  for.  When  the  meeting  was  over,  and  we  were  al- 
most worn  out,  he  came  forward  to  the  altar  to  tell  me  how 


64  ^  FIRST  FRUITS. 

hard  his  heart  was.  Now,  thought  I,  the  devil  has  kept 
this  poor  sinner  in  liis  seat  all  this  time,  because  he  knew 
that  if  he  should  come  forward  to  be  prayed  for,  he  would 
never  get  out  of  our  hands  till  he  was  converted  to  God  ; 
and  now  the  devil  has  permitted  him  to  come,  because  he 
thinks  we  are  too  tired  to  begin  a  second  prayer  meeting.  I 
called  to  the  brethren  ;  they  were  on  the  spot  immediately  ; 
the  sinner  was  surrounded  with  praying  men :  "  Now,  down 
upon  your  knees,  man,  and  cry  for  mercy."  The  second 
prayer  meeting  continued  till  late  ;  the  devil  lost  him.  Next 
day  he  had  some  doubts,  and  he  sent  a  message  to  me,  say- 
ing, that  he  wanted  to  converse  on  the  witness  of  the  Spirit. 
I  requested  him  to  be  present  at  the  afternoon  sermon,  and, 
after  which,  I  would  converse  with  him.  He  attended  ;  but 
when  the  sermon  was  over  I  found  him  happy.  God  had 
explained  the  doctrine  to  him  during  the  discourse,  by  send- 
ing his  Spirit  into  his  heart,  crying,  Abba,  Father. 

I  think  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons  have  passed 
from  death  unto  life.  1  understand  that  about  twenty-five 
believers  have  experienced  the  blessedness  of  those  who  are 
pure  in  heart. 

A  few  evenings  ago,  I  heard  a  holy  woman  sing  the  fol- 
lomng  lines,  with  heaven  beaming  on  her  countenance.  I 
know  not  whether  you  have  ever  seen  them,  but  they  were 
quite  new  to  me. 

"  There  remaineth  therefore  a  rest  to  the  people  of  God.^' — Heb.  iy.  9. 
TuKE  —  "Home,  sweet  home." 
My  rest  is  in  heaven,  my  rest  is  not  here, 
Then  why  should  I  murmur  Avhen  trials  are  near ; 
Be  hushed  my  dark  spirit,  the  worst  that  can  come 
But  shortens  thy  journey,  and  hastens  thee  home. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  be  seeking  my  bliss, 
And  building  my  hopes  in  a  region  like  this  ; 
I  look  for  a  city  which  hands  have  not  piled ; 
I  pant  for  a  country  by  sin  undefiled. 


FIRST   FRUITS.  65 

The  thorn  and  the  thistle  around  me  may  grow ; 
I  would  not  lie  down  upon  roses  below : 
I  ask  not  a  portion,  I  seek  not  my  rest, 
Till  I  find  them  for  ever  in  Jesus's  breast. 

Afflictions  may  damp  me,  but  cannot  destroy ; 
One  glimpse  of  his  love  turns  them  all  into  joy ; 
And  the  bitterest  tears,  if  he  smile  but  on  them, 
Like  dew  in  the  sunshine,  turn  diamond  or  gem. 

Let  doubt  then  and  danger  my  progress  oppose, 
They  only  make  heaven  more  sweet  at  tlie  close ; 
Come  joy,  or  come  sorrow,  whate'er  may  befall, 
One  hour  with  my  God,  will  make  up  for  it  all. 

A  scrip  on  my  back,  and  a  staff  in  my  hand  ; 

I  march  on  in  haste  through  an  enemy's  land; 

The  road  may  be  rough,  but  it  cannot  be  long ; 

And  I  'U  smooth  it  with  hope,  and  I  '11  cheer  it  with  song. 

The  above  is  mj  experience.     My  soul  is  happy. 


CHAPTER    yil. 

REVIVAL    SCENES    IN    LOWER    CANADA. 

In  this  chapter,  we  shall  still  see  Mr.  Caughey  nobly  ful- 
filling the  objects  of  his  spiritual  mission  in  Lower  Canada, 
with  a  success  so  peculiar  and  unbroken  as  to  give  full  proof 
of  the  heavenly  calling  he  had  received.  The  letters  now 
to  be  inserted  were  written  from  the  city  of  Montreal. 

At  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  January, 
1841,  I  left  Quebec  for  this  (^ty.  Three  sleighs,  filled  with 
our  friends,  accompanied  me  twelve  miles  out  of  the  city, 
where  we  all  took  breakfast  together.  In  February,  1835, 
when  the  Rev.  jMatthew  Lang  and  I  visited  Quebec,  for  the 
first  time,  the  brethren,  hearing  of  our  coming,  in  imitation 
of  those  at  Rome,  who  met  St.  Paul  at  ^'  the  three  taverns," 
came  out  twelve  miles  to  meet  us,  and  escorted  us  into  their 
noble  and  beautiful  city.  You  will  not,  therefore,  wonder 
that  my  heart  is  warmly  attached  to  the  Quebec  people.  I 
only  spent  twenty-one  days  with  them  on  my  first  visit,  but 
twelve  weeks  with  them  this  time ;  preached  nearly  one 
hundred  sermons,  besides  exhorting,  times  innumerable.  I 
also  gave  them  a  sermon  on  Temperance  ;  and,  in  the  haU 
of  the  Parliament  House,  I  delivered  an  address  on  the 
expediency  of  total  abstinence  from  intoxicating  liquors. 
The  Governor  General  very  politely  granted  us  the  hall  for 
66 


REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOAYER   CANADA.  6T 

the  occasion.  Many  at  this  time  became  members  of  the 
"Quebec  Young  Men's  Total  Abstinence  Society,"  which 
is  in  a  very  flourishmg  condition  ;  and  thus  it  ever  shall  be 
with  any  Society,  founded  on  right  principles^  if  the  mem- 
bers act  consistently,  and  cany  out  those  principles  with 
vigor,  to  their  legitimate  results. 

"Facts  are  stubborn  things;"  and  many  of  the  anti- 
temperance  men  found  them  so  that  night.  I  told  them, 
first :  A  coroner's  jury  has  lately  been  held  in  your  city  upon 
the  body  of  a  female,  who  has  been  disinterred  for  the 
purpose  of  an  inquest,  under  a  suspicion  of  murder  ;  but 
death  by  intoxication  was  the  final  verdict.  The  matter, 
however,  did  not  rest  here  ;  an  inquest  has  been  held  in 
another  quarter,  namely,  m  the  conscience  of  a  liquor  seller, 
a  professor  of  religion,  and  what  was  the  verdict  there  ? 
That  the  woman  came  to  her  untimely  death  by  liquor  which 
she  habitually  got  at  liis  shop.  The  man  came  to  me  a  few 
mornings  since  and  inquired  what  he  must  do. 

Secondly :  A.  few  weeks  since  a  company  of  men  were  work- 
ing on  a  building  in  the  Lower  Town.  A  dram  dealer,  close 
by,  regardless  of  the  danger  to  which  the  men  were  exposed, 
supphed  them  with  drink.  Toward  night  one  of  them,  about 
half  intoxicated,  stumbled,  and  fell  from  the  roof,  and  was  a 
corpse  in  a  few  moments,  leaving  a  widow  and  seven  small 
children. 

Thirdly  :  Several  authorized  reports  have  been  placed  in 
my  hands  ^ntliin  a  few  hours.  One  of  them  states  that  you 
have  six  hundred  places  in  your  city  where  intoxicating 
Hquors  are  sold.  Another  (your  coroner's  report)  informs 
us,  that  during  four  months  of  1840,  verdicts  were  given  of 
thirty-nine  deaths  occasioned  by  intoxication. 

Fourthly  :  An  extract  from  the  books  of  your  jail,  signed 
by  the  jailor,  states,  that  from  January  to  September  (nine 


68  REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA. 

months)  there  were  committed  fourteen  hundred  criminals  ; 
and  that  eleven  hundred  and  fortj-eight  of  tliem  had  been 
committed  for  crimes  which  were  clearly  traceable  to  intem- 
perance. It  seems  the  other  two  hundred  and  fifty-two  were 
put  down  upon  the  list  of  "  unknown  ; "  that  is.  the  cause  of 
their  commitment  could  not  be  assigned  to  intoxication  ;  but  it 
was  added,  there  could  be  little  doubt,  were  their  history  as 
well  known  as  the  others,  it  would  be  found  that  their  crimes 
originated  from  the  same  source. 

The  Lord  enabled  me  to  be  very  bold  and  faithful,  as  there 
were  many  of  the  liquor  trade  present.  I  cried,  ^'  He  that 
hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear."  Behold  the  doings  of 
your  six  hundred  dram  shops  and  taverns.  They  have  sent 
more  than  eleven  hundred  persons  to  prison  in  nine  months 
and  have  killed  thirty-nine.  I  then  made  a  supposition,  that 
a  few  individuals,  for  the  sake  of  making  money,  should 
open  a  number  of  places  for  amusement,  of  a  very  fascinating 
kind  ;  and  that  such  establishments,  while  they  were  the 
means  of  sending  eleven  hundred  and  forty-eight  men  and 
women  to  prison  in  nine  months,  killed  thirty-nine  m  the 
half  of  that  time,  how  long  would  an  outraged  community 
suffer  such  horrible  places  to  be  open?  Would  not  the 
strong  arm  of  the  law  close  them  for  ever  ?  But  what  have  I 
seen  in  your  city  papers  lately  ?  Oh,  only  this,  that  these 
wretched  men  are  notified  to  attend  upon  a  certain  day  to 
have  their  licenses  renewed !  I  then  related  an  amusing 
circumstance  that  happened  in  the  legislature  of  Vermont, 
some  time  since,  which  showed  that  the  minds  of  statesmen 
are  beginning  to  awake  to  the  horrible  evils  and  inconsisten- 
cies of  the  license  law.  A  bill  had  been  brought  into  the 
house,  and  was  taken  up  for  the  third  reading.  One  section 
thereof  enacted  a  penalty  for  drunkenness.  A  member 
arose,  and  moved  a  commitment  of  the  bill  for  an  amend- 


IIEVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA.  69 

ment,  by  erasing  the  section  against  drunkards.  He  said^ 
he  objected  to  the  punishing  of  drunkards  by  statute,  and  at 
tlie  same  time  protecting  the  traffickers  in  ardent  spirits  by 
legislative  enactments ;  that  it  seemed  to  him  like  holding 
out  one  ann  of  the  law  to  present  the  cup,  and  the  other 
to  punish  the  acceptance  of  it.  As  much  as  to  say,  "  Hold 
out  the  cup,  and  if  it  is  accepted,  it  will,  by  a  sure 
process,  lead  to  drunkenness,  and  then  punish  the  drunk- 
ards." The  Vermont  Legislators  saw  the  dilemma,  and  it  was 
thrown  back  into  the  hands  of  the  original  mover  for  an 
amendment. 

There  was  an  amusmg,  perhaps  I  should  say,  a  melan- 
clioly  circumstance  occurred  at  the  close  of  this  meetmg.  If 
it  was  mournfid,  it  was,  however,  to  me  an  evidence  that  the 
man's  conscience  vibrated,  in  some  degree,  under  the  in- 
fluence of  that  mighty  principle  wliich  swayed  the  minds  of 
the  apostles  and  primitive  Christians  :  "  It  is  good  neither  to 
eat  flesh,  nor  to  drmk  wine,  nor  anything  whereby  thy 
brother  stumbleth,  or  is  (flfended,  or  is  made  weak."  Rom. 
xiv.  21.  A  man,  evidently  under  powerful  convictions  re- 
specting the  soul  and  body  destroying  evils  of  intoxicating 
drinks,  arose  from  his  seat,  seemingly  with  a  determuiation 
to  join  the  teetotal  ranks.  He  walked  toward  the  table 
where  the  sheet  was  laid  for  signatures,  but  several  persons 
were  waiting  to  sign,  and  he  had  to  pause  a  little.  He  was 
greatly  agitated,  and,  I  believe,  felt  himself  on  the  very 
brink  of  a  Rubicon  that  would  decide  his  habits  through  life. 
A  friend  of  mine  stood  near  him,  and  heard  the  followino- 
soliloquy :  "  Well,  I  shall  not  join  to-night.  I  have  a  bottle 
at  home,  and  a  little  in  it ;  I  shall  drink  that  before  I  sign 
the  pledge ;  but  I  declare,  had  I  drank  it  before  I  came  to 

this  meeting,  I 1  should  have  signed  the  pledge  this 

night."     So  he  darted  out  of  the  house,  under  the  influence 


70  REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA. 

of  quite  a  different  principle  from  that  which  St.  Paul  felt ; 
perhaps  not  unlike  the  Cainite  one,  "  Am  I,  my  brother's 
keeper  ?  " 

Small  as  the  thing  may  appear,  and  simple  as  was  that 
test  of  principle,  yet  it  may  be  found  hereafter,  that  the  lit- 
tle that  remained  in  that  "bottle  at  home,"  stood  connected 
with  loss  of  character,  a  ruined  constitution,  a  drunkard's 
grave,  or  his  future  Avretchedness  in  hell.  "Behold  how 
grea.t  a  matter,  a  little  fire  kinileth." 

The  last  night  I  preached  in  Quebec  was  an  affecting  time. 
It  was  with  much  difficulty  I  could  get  out  of  the  chapel,  and 
away  from  the  young  converts.  "How  strong  the  affection 
of  a  new-born  soul !"  After  breakfast  I  commended  the 
little  party,  to  which  I  have  already  alluded,  to  God,  and 
rode  on  to  St.  Ann's,  fifty  miles.  Here  I  was  met  by 
Mr.  H.,  of  Quebec,  who  carried  me  in  his  sleigh  to  his 
father's  house.  A  singular  ride  it  was.  Part  of  the  way 
ran  over,  and  along,  tremendous  snow-drifts,  till  we  de- 
scended upon  the  Batascou  river,  and  scudded  along  on  its 
ice-bound  surface  twelve  miles.  Here  night  overtook  us, 
and  we  got  bewildered.  After  wandering  up  and  down, 
looking  for  a  path  to  the  shore  and  uplands,  we  espied  some 
persons  in  the  distance,  and  by  hallooing  we  attracted  their 
attention.  By  their  assistance  we  ascended  the  bank,  and 
through  a  wild  country 

"  Of  hill  and  dale,  heaped  into  one  expanse 
Of  marbled  snow,  as  far  as  eye  can  sweep, 
With  a  blue  cnist  of  ice-unbounded  glazed." 

We  arrived  at  his  father's  house  about  nine  o'clock  at  night. 
The  motion  of  the  sleigh  at  night,  with  nothing  before  my 
eyes  but  ice  and  snow,  brought  on  something  like  searsick- 
ness.     I  was  extremely  ill  when  I  ahghted.     The  Lord  gave 


REVIVAL  SCENES  IN  LOWER  CANADA.         71 

me  a  good  night's  rest,  and  I  awoke  in  the  morning  quite 
well  and  happy. 

A  messenger  went  out  through  the  settlement  announcing 
that  a  Methodist  clergyman,  from  the  United  States,  had 
arrived,  and  w^ould  preach  within  an  hour.  The  poor  peo- 
ple, who  were  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life,  were  soon  as- 
sembled, to  w^hom  I  expounded  the  tenth  chapter  of  the  Acts 
of  the  Apostles.  It  was  affecting  to  see  with  what  eager- 
ness they  devoured  every  word.  Within  a  few  minutes  of 
the  conclusion  of  the  discourse,  an  astonishing  influence  came 
down  upon  all  present.  Nothing  was  to  be  seen  but  weeping 
on  every  side.  We  fell  upon  our  knees  and  poured  out  our 
souls  to  God.  There  was  very  httle  noise,  but  the  sobbing 
and  weeping  were  w^onderful.  I  paced  the  floor  on  my 
knees,  encouraging  each  trembling  sinner  to  rely  upon  th© 
atonement  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  Lord  Jesus  remem- 
ber these  sheep  in  the  wilderness  !  We  had  hard  parting  ; 
but  farewells  were  interchanged,  probably  never  to  be  re- 
peated. We  then  rode  on  to  Three  Kivers,  without  any 
accident,  other  than  a  thorough  summerset  in  a  snow-drift. 
I  threw  out  my  left  arm  to  break  the  fall,  buried  it  for  my 
pains  deep  in  the  snow,  and  we  lay  sprawling  for  a  time  in 
the  shapeless  drift.  Our  fine  horse  stood  perfectly  still  till 
we  got  through  our  undulating  motions ;  and  after  getting 
all  "to  rights,"  we  started  forward  in  good  spirits,  though  in 
continual  danger  of  another  capsize.  A  previous  upset  of 
this  kind  was  more  disastrous.  As  I  was  riding  along  in  my 
sleigh,  wrapped  in  Buffalo  skins,  I  came  opposite  a  respectable 
looking  man,  standing  by  a  fence.  He  asked  liberty  to  ride 
with  me  a  short  distance,  which  I  readily  granted,  hopmg  I 
might  have  an  opportunity  of  talking  to  him  about  his  soul. 
No  sooner  w^as  he  seated  than  I  found  I  had  a  drunken 
man  for  a  companion.      On  challenging  his  jug,  he  said, 


72  BEVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA. 

"My  "wife  sent  me  to  tlie  store  for  molasses,  but  I  have 
got  more  falls  since  I  left  the  store  than  the  molasses  are 
worth."  I  could  well  believe  him,  poor  fellow  ;  but  the  fault 
was  more  in  his  head  than  in  his  treacherous  feet. 

I  no  sooner  began  to  talk  to  him  about  his  soul,  and  the 
day  of  judgment,  than  my  mare  undertook  to  show  she 
could  play  a  drunken  trick  without  either  rum  or  molasses. 
Away  she  went  down  the  hill,  tumbhng  head-foremost,  till 
she  lay  stretched  on  the  snow.  In  the  meantimxC,  the 
drunkard  and  myself  had  a  comfortable  summerset  together ; 
buffalo  skins,  portmanteaus,  molasses  and  jug,  whirled  into 
the  ditch  along  with  us,  the  drunkard's  voice  grumbling  out 
as  we  performed  our  evolutions,  "  The  day  of  judgment, 
indeed ! "  The  beast  lay  very  quietly  till  we  got  out  of 
the  ditch.  The  sleigh  was  broken,  and  we  were  some  dis- 
tance from  any  house,  so  I  had  to  harness  myself  to  it, 
and  endeavoured  to  drag  it  along  slowly  ;  the  drunkard  doing 
his  best  behind,  pushing  forward  or  pulling  back,  in  strict 
accordance  with  the  known  laws  of  gravitation  ;  but  he  was 
perfectly  sincere  in  his  endeavours  to  help  me  forward.  At 
last  we  arrived  at  a  house  on  a  hill,  which  turned  out  to  be 
his  own,  and  a  very  respectable  place  it  was.  I  found  he 
was  a  farmer,  in  good  circumstances.  His  wife  was  sorely 
ashamed  of  him.  I  tinkered  up  my  sleigh,  and  got  ready 
for  a  start.  He  ran  into  the  house  for  my  whip,  but  on 
coming  back,  the  alcohol  drove  him  along  with  such  velocity 
that  he  lost  his  balance,  and  came  down  with  a  terrible  crash 
on  the  ground,  which  was  frozen  as  hard  as  metal.  "Ah  ! " 
said  I,  "the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard."  I  gave 
him  a  few  words  of  advice,  which  he  seemed  to  feel,  and 
departed.  Who  can  tell  but  this  event  may  be  the  means  of 
his  conversion  to  God  ? 

We  arrived  at  Three  Rivers,  where  I  preached  from  the 


REVIVAL   SCENES   IN   LOWER  CANADA.  73 

second  verse  of  the  hundredth  Psalm.  After  service,  I  was 
conducted  to  see  a  very  aged  minister  of  the  Church  of 
England,  —  a  most  venerable  and  patriarchal  looking  man. 
If  I  recollect  aright,  he  is  ninety  years  of  age,  but  seems  in 
full  possession  of  all  his  faculties.  He  was  sent  out  as  a 
clergyman  to  New  York,  by  one  of  the  English  bishops,  when 
the  United  States  were  British  Colonies.  We  had  a  very 
interesting  conversation.  "I  spent,"  said  he,  "  an  evening 
with  Mr.  Wesley,  before  I  sailed  for  America.  On  taking 
my  leave  that  night,  he  presented  me  with  his  Notes  on  the 
New  Testament,  in  two  volumes."  He  showed  me  the 
books,  which  he  had  preserved  with  great  care.  When  rising 
to  depart,  I  asked  his  blessuig.  He  arose,  and  with  great  dig- 
nity, placing  his  hands  upon  my  head,  with  a  faltering  voice, 
prayed,  "  May  the  blessing  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  thee,  henceforth,  and 
for  ever!" 

An  old  Scotch  divine  has  said,  "  It  is  one  of  the  best  sights 
to  see  an  old  disciple  ;  to  see  silver  hairs  adorned  with  gol- 
den virtues."  How  much  more,  to  see  an  aged  minister  of 
the  Lord  Jesus ;  one  fairly  worn  out  in  his  Master's  cause  ! 

Next  morning  I  lost  my  passage  in  the  stage,  through  the 
carelessness  of  the  agent.  After  considerable  trouble  and 
loss  of  time,  he  was  compelled  to  "  rig  up  "  a  sleigh  and 
send  me  off  alone.  I  bade  farewell  to  Mr.  H.,  who  seemed 
determined  not  to  rest  without  "  the  knowledge  of  salvation, 
by  the  remission  of  sins."  We  started,  and  the  driver  was 
resolved  to  overtake  the  stage ;  but  common  sense  should 
have  forbidden  the  thought.  Sometimes  we  had  three  horses 
running  Indian  file,  one  before  the  other,  and  they  went  at  a 
tremendous  rate,  —  now  along  huge  snow-drifts,  then  down 
on  the  ice  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  again  on  the  high  lands, 

7  i 


T4  REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA. 

guided  only  in  our  course  bj  small  evergreens  stuck  down  in 
the  snow  at  regular  distances.  I  expected  every  moment 
a  complete  upset ;  but  no,  we  were  often  very  near  it,  but 
the  expert  Canadian  always  contrived  to  throw  his  body 
so  far  on  the  opposite  side  as  to  maintain  the  balance  of 
power  ;  and  I  breathed  freely  again,  muttering,  "  Oh !  we 
were  nearly  gone  that  time ;  now  for  another  hairbreadth 
escape." 

At  last  I  had  so  much  confidence  in  the  driver  as  to  be 
perfectly  easy ;  no  matter  how  hazardous  the  enterprise  in 
which  he  was  involved,  he  always  came  off  victorious.  The 
Canadian  cariole  has  two  horns  in  front ;  and  as  the  driver 
seldom  sits,  he  is  ready  for  any  emergency.  He  is  never 
involved  in  a  dilemma  between  the  two  horns  ;  he  knows  one 
must  be  right ;  that  one  is  grasped  in  a  moment,  as  if  by  in- 
stinct, and  upon  this  he  hangs  with  desperation.  He  eyes 
the  danger  from  afar,  and  at  the  crisis,  quick  as  lightning, 
he  dexterously  swings  to  windward,  and,  in  spite  of  the  most 
desperate  circumstances,  keeps  the  sleigh  on  its  runners. 

About  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  we  arrived  at  Mon- 
treal, ninety  miles  from  Three  Kivers,  and  one  hundred  and 
eighty  from  Quebec.  The  dear  brethren  at  Montreal,  re- 
gretting some  of  the  movements  of  last  October,  were  now 
fully  ready  for  a  revival.  The  leaders'  meeting  had  given 
me  a  unanimous  invitation  to  revisit  their  city,  which  I  ac- 
cepted before  leaving  Quebec ;  promising,  however,  to 
remain  only  twelve  days,  and  then  proceed  to  Kingston, 
Upper  Canada. 

They  had  already  commenced  a  protracted  meeting,  in 
the  large  school-room,  underneath  the  chapel,  and  were  in 
a  fine  state  of  feehng.  I  advised  them  to  light  up  their 
chapel  every  night,  and  convince  the  public,  they  were  not 
ashamed  of  a  protracted  meeting,  nor  of  a  real  revival  of 


REVIVAL   SCENES  IN   LOWER  CANADA.  75 

the  work  of  God.  They  did  so,  and  our  congregations  in- 
creased every  night.  Soon  the  arm  of  God  was  revealed  in 
the  awakening  of  sinners  ;  but  the  converting  power  was 
strangely  withheld.  We  humbled  ourselves  before  God,  by 
fasting  and  prayer  ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  by  preaching  and 
exhortation,  we  endeavoured  to  storm  the  devil's  camp.  Our 
meetings  grew  better  and  better ;  at  the  close  of  each  we 
could  say, — 

"  The  little  cloud  increaseth  still, 
The  heavens  are  big  with  rain  ; 
We  haste  to  catch  the  teeming  shower, 
And  all  its  moisture  drain." 

When  we  were  fully  convicted  of  our  own  utter  helpless- 
ness, unless  God  should  help  us,  then  the  Holy  Ghost  de- 
scended in  copious  effusions ;  and  in  a  short  time  we  were 
surrounded  with  scores  of  precious  souls  newly  "  born  of 
God."  Great  unity  prevails  throughout  the  society ;  the 
preachers  are  exceedingly  kind,  and  we  labour  together  in 
great  harmony. 

Yesterday  forenoon  I  was  called  upon,  with  a  brother,  to 
visit  the  house  of  mourning.  When  I  entered,  I  was  sur- 
prised to  discern  in  the  distressed  widow,  a  mournuig  penitent 
whom  I  had  seen  come  forward  to  be  prayed  for  only  a  few 
nights  before.  She  then  told  me  that  her  husband  was  a 
wicked  man,  and  had  opposed  her  going  among  the  Meth- 
odists, and  that  she  dreaded  his  displeasure  'when  she  re- 
turned. It  seems,  however,  the  Lord  took  the  matter  into 
his  own  hands,  as  he  was  taken  suddenly  sick  the  night  pre- 
vious, and  expired  before  morning. 

You  wish  to  know  tlie  names  of  the  preachers  who  are 
stationed  in  this  city.  They  are  as  follows :  Rev.  WiUiam 
Squire,  Superintendent ;  Rev.  John  P.  Hethermgton,  and 
Rev.  Robert  L.  Lusher,  editor  of  "  The  Wesleyan ; "  a 


76  REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER    CANADA. 

paper  calculated  to  do  much  good  iii  Canada,  and  I  do  hope 
the  Methodists  will  support  it  liberally. 

I  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  visit  Kingston,  and  it  will  be 
a  great  disappointment.  The  ice  is  already  very  dangerous, 
and  the  roads  are  in  a  wretched  state  between  here  and 
Kingston.  My  time,  you  are  aware,  is  far  spent.  I  must 
visit  New  York  before  I  sail.  Within  a  few  weeks  past,  I 
have  changed  my  intended  route,  and  shall  sail,  if  God  per- 
mit, from  Quebec  to  Halifax,  N.  S.,  thence  to  Liverpool. 

There  were  more  than  two  hundred  sinners  converted  in 
Quebec,  and  since  my  arrival,  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 
in  this  city;  but  we  are  looking  for  greater  things  than 
these,  as  many  are  praying, — 

"  A  rill,  a  stream,  a  torrent  flows, 
But  send  the  mighty  flood  ; 
0  shake  the  nations,  sweep  the  earth, 
Till  all  proclaim  thee  God." 

I  have  lately  received  a  most  affecting  letter  from  Quebec, 
giving  an  account  of  a  dreadful  fire,  and  the  loss  of  four 
lives.  As  I  knew  one  of  the  sufferers,  I  feel  the  more  deep- 
ly affected.  One  night,  during  the  revival  in  Quebec,  as  I 
was  walking  up  the  aisle,  one  of  the  brethren  said  to  me,  with 
great  earnestness,  "  Do  you  see  that  old  gentleman  with  the 
bald  head?" 

"Yes." 

"  Well,  Sir,  he  was  once  a  member  of  our  society,  but  has 
long  since  left  us,  and  what  is  worse,  he  is  a  miserable  back- 
slider ;  go  and  speak  to  him." 

His  words  came  with  power  to  my  mind,  and  with  some 
difficulty  I  got  to  him.  He  seemed  very  attentive  to  what 
was  going  on,  but  without  any  apparent  concern  about  his 
soul.     I  was  struck  with  liis  respectable  and  venerable  ap- 


REVIVAL   SCENES   IN    LOWER   CANADA.  77 

pearance.  After  a  few  words  were  spoken  to  him,  a  re- 
markable influence  came  upon  my  soul.  Words  were  given 
me  such  as  I  cannot  repeat.  For  a  time  he  remained  firm ; 
at  last  the  word  came  as  fire,  and  as  a  hammer  to  break 
the  rock  in  pieces.  He  became  greatly  agitated.  My  in- 
most soul  yearned  over  him.  I  felt  such  a  burning  love  to 
his  soul,  that  I  could  have  taken  him  in  my  arms,  and  have 
carried  him  to  the  altar.  But  he  would  not  move,  although 
he  trembled  in  every  limb.  I  told  him  I  could  not  leave  ; 
go  to  be  prayed  for  he  must.     I  urged,  entreated,  conjured. 

Had  some  polite  and  fashionable  Christians  been  there,  I 
am  sure  they  would  have  charged  me  with  overstepping  the 
bounds  of  propriety,  in  attempting  to  drive  the  man  to  be 
saved.  Ah  !  there  is  much  in  that  advice  of  Jude  :  "  And 
of  some  have  compassion,  making  a  difierence  :  And  others 
save  with  fear,  pulling  them  out  of  the  fire."  At  last  God 
helped  me  to  prevail.  "With  a  faltering  step,  and  almost 
overpowing  emotion,  he  walked  to  the  altar.  It  was  full  of 
penitents,  but  he  fell  down  near  it,  and  in  about  one  hour 
God  had  mercy  upon  him,  and  healed  all  his  backshdings. 
At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  there  were  great  rejoicings  over 
him,  and  many  others ;  among  whom  was  one  of  his  own 
apprentices,  who  obtained  salvation  the  same  evening. 

A  letter  brought  me  the  sad  intelligence,  that  one  night, 
about  ten  days  after  I  had  left  Quebec,  he,  his  wife,  servant 
girl,  and  two  apprentices,  having  retired  to  rest,  towards 
morning  a  fire  broke  out  in  one  of  the  lower  apartments  of 
the  house  ;  and,  although  an  alarm  was  given,  such  was  the 
fury  of  the  flames,  that  before  an  attempt  could  be  made  to 
rescue  the  inmates,  all  had  perished  except  the  elder  appren- 
tice. "  The  fumes  of  their  burning  bodies  made  a  part  of 
the  awful  column  of  smoke  which  spread  itself,  like  the  pall 
of  death,  over  our  deeply-excited  city."    ■  The  youth  who 


78  KEVIVAL    SCENES    IN   LOWER   CANADA. 

•was  saved,  is  a  member  of  our  cliurch.  His  escape  was 
truly  miraculous.  He  was  awakened  out  of  a  deep  sleep  by 
the  smoke,  and  some  indistinct  cries  of  fire ;  he  tried  to 
awaken  his  companion,  but  the  heat  increasing,  he  rushed  to 
the  window,  almost  suffocated.  Just  then  the  fire  blazed  all 
around  the  room,  and  he  sprang  from  the  fourth  story,  and 
alighted  on  the  frozen  street ;  yet  not  a  bone  was  broken, 
and  he  sustained  but  very  little  injury.  He  says,  that  a 
little  before  he  leaped  from  the  window,  he  heard  the  voices 
of  the  old  couple  in  another  part  of  the  house.  Alas  !  they 
must  then  have  been  surrounded  with  smoke  and  flame. 

I  was  informed  that  on  Christmas  morning,  very  early, 
the  old  lady  attended  the  Methodist  chapel,  in  deep  anxiety 
about  her  soul.  She  said  afterwards,  "  I  went  to  the  chapel 
with  the  intention  of  going  forward  to  be  prayed  for,  but 
there  was  no  invitation."  Oh  !  how  necessary  to  be  ''  in 
season,  out  of  season,"  in  our  efforts  to  save  assembled  sin- 
ners. She  did  not  come  again  to  the  chapel  while  I  re- 
mained in  Quebec.  Perhaps  God,  who  had  begun  a  good 
work  in  her  soul,  completed  it  before  that  dreadful  night. 
Here  I  leave  it ;  but,  with  a  grateful  heart,  I  adore  that  God 
who  enabled  me,  on  the  night  referred  to,  faithfully  and  per- 
severingly  to  attempt  to  save  the  soul  of  her  husband  from 
the  fires  of  the  second  death.  Had  he  left  the  chapel  that 
night  without  decision,  or  converting  grace,  he  might  have 
been  eternally  lost.  Now,  I  believe,  he  is  among  the  re- 
deemed in  heaven.  None  of  the  miUions  who  know  him 
there,  will  refuse  to  say,  "Is  not  this  a  brand  plucked  out 
of  the  fire  ?"  The  eternal  salvation,  even  of  these  two 
souls,  (for  the  young  apprentice  who  lost  his  life,  had  been 
converted  also  during  the  revival,)  is  worth  the  labour  and 
expense  of  my  whole  tour,  although  it  should  not  result  in 
the  salvation  of  any  others. 


REVIVAL   SCENES    IN    LOWER    CANADA.  79 

An  awful  event,  which  lately  transpired  in  this  city,  has 
also  made  a  deep  impression  upon  my  mind.  I  have  just  re- 
ceived the  facts  from  one  of  our  leaders.  A  young  man  who 
landed  in  this  country  from  England,  last  summer,  was 
spending  part  of  Sabbath,  the  14th  inst.,  in  a  house  in  *  *  * 
street,  in  company  with  a  person  who  came  out  with  him  in 
the  same  ship.  While  there  he  took  offence  at  something, 
and,  in  his  passion,  wished  that  God  might  strike  him  hlind^ 
and  dumb,  and  dead^  if  he  ever  entered  into  that  house 
again.  He  and  another  companion  then  proceeded  to  a  dram 
shop,  and  had  somethmg  to  drink.  Under  the  influence  of 
liquor  and  the  devil,  he  returned  to  the  house,  where  only 
one  hour  before  he  had  uttered  the  dreadful  imprecation. 
On  Tuesday,  the  23d  inst.,  while  employed  in  front  of  a 
house  in  St.  Paul's  street,  a  heavy  body  of  snow  came  down 
from  the  roof,  fell  upon  him,  and  knocked  him  down  with 
such  violence,  that  before  they  could  get  him  from  under  it, 
he  was  dead.  "  Thus,"  says  the  leader,  "his  impious  wish 
was  granted  ;  he  was  struck  blind  and  dumb,  so  that  he  could 
neither  see  nor  call  for  assistance,  and  he  was  dead  before 
he  could  be  released."  The  Psalmist  might  well  say  of  him 
who  ruleth  in  the  heavens,  "  Verily,  he  is  a  God  that  judg- 
eth  in  the  earth."  St.  Peter  also  tells  us  of  a  certain 
class  of  sinners,  who  "  bring  upon  themselves  swift  destruc- 
tion." 

About  the  time  of  my  arrival  here  from  Quebec,  there  was 
another  death,  in  which  I  was  deeply  interested".  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  history  of  the  case  :  When  I  was  here  in  1837, 
there  was  a  powerful  revival.  One  Sabbath  night  I  was  led 
to  take  that  text.  Rev.  xx.  11  — 13.  During  the  reading 
of  the  text  a  man  began  to  tremble  in  a  manner  he  could 
not  well  control.  He  attracted  the  attention  of  two  or  three 
praying  men,  and  they  kept  their  eyes  upon  him,  hoping  to 


80  REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA. 

to  have  him  forward  for  prayer ;  but  as  soon  as  the  sermon 
was  over,  he  made  an  eifort  to  get  out,  and  succeeded.  He 
gathered  strength  in  the  fresh  air,  and  ran  for  his  life.  These 
swift-footed  servants  of  Christ  started  in  pursuit  of  the 
wounded  sinner.  At  length  he  reached  his  house,  and  dart- 
ed in,  not  without  having  been  observed  by  his  pursuers.  In 
a  few  moments  they  knocked  at  his  door,  and  were  admitted  ; 
but  he  had  disappeared.  They  inquired  of  the  wife  for  her 
husband.  ^-'He  is  in  that  room,"  was  her  reply.  "We 
must  see  him."  She  conducted  them  into  the  room,  where 
he  had  thrown  himself  upon  a  bed.  When  he  saw  them  he 
burst  into  tears.  They  pressed  the  truth  of  Jehovah  upon 
his  conscience,  at  the  same  time  urging  him  to  arise  and  call 
upon  God.  He  did  so,  and  they  wrestled  in  prayer  till  mid- 
night, when  he  professed  to  have  found  salvation.  Alas  !  he 
did  not  long  walk  in  the  way  to  heaven.  His  old  besetment, 
intoxicating  drink,  got  the  better  of  him,  and  he  fell  from 
God. 

When  I  was  here  last  autumn  he  avoided  the  chapel  with 
great  precaution,  but,  before  I  returned,  a  fatal  disease  had 
seized  upon  him.  His  distress  of  mind  and  body  was  very  great. 
Some  hopes,  I  believe,  were  entertained  of  his  salvation, 
before  he  breathed  his  last.  The  previous  New  Year's  Day 
was  a  "  high  day"  with  him  and  his  wicked  companions,  but 
before  it  was  over  he  laid  the  foundation  of  his  speedy  death. 

We  find  a  still  farther  account  of  his  labors  during  this 
tour  in  Lower  Canada  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  written  from  St. 
John's,  with  which  we  close  the  present  chapter. 

I  did  not  think  of  writing  to  you  again  before  I  had  sailed 
for  Europe ;  but  having  a  few  moments  to  spare,  I  snatch 
them  to  address  to  you  a  few  Hues.     I  have  abandoned  the 


REVIVAL    SCENES   IN   LOWER   CANADA.  81 

idea  of  visiting  Kingston  at  this  time.  Having  still  a  deep 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  little  society  in  this  place,  I 
gathered,  from  my  feelings,  that  the  Lord  might  have  some- 
thing for  me  to  do,  either  in  strengthening  the  young  con- 
verts of  last  autumn,  or  laying  hold  of  some  of  the  devil's 
children,  who  were  then  wounded  by  the  arrows  of  the 
gospel. 

I  found  the  little  society  standmg  fast,  and  doing  well ; 
but  the  wicked  are  afraid  of  me.  They  remember  the  ar- 
rows of  the  last  battle,  and  are  better  prepared  to  avoid 
them.  So  true  is  that  saying  of  an  elegant  writer,  "  If  the 
sinner  is  not  recalled  by  the  invitations  of  the  gospel,  he  will 
be  riveted  by  that  gospel  into  more  helpless  condemnation." 
I  fear  I  made  a  mistake  in  leavmg  St.  John*s  so  early  ;  and 
have  some  suspicions  that  was  the  reason  why  my  way  was 
so  hedged  up  in  Montreal  last  autumn. 

I  preached  eighty-six  sermons  in  Montreal,  one  temperance 
sermon,  and  dehvered  five  lectures  on  total-abstinence  from 
all  intoxicating  drinks.  More  than  two  hundred  sinners  were 
converted  to  God,  and  one  thousand  persons  united  with  the 
Montreal  ''  Young  Men's  Total  Abstinence  Society."  A 
deputation  from  the  above  society  visited  me  before  I  left  the 
city,  with  a  request  that  I  would  give  them  a  few  months  of 
my  time,  previous  to  my  sailing  for  Europe,  in  order  to  visit 
a  few  of  the  towns  of  Upper  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  the  cause  of  temperance.  A  liberal  sum  had 
been  raised  for  the  purpose,  with  an  offer  of  more,  if  neces- 
sary, should  I  undertake  the  mission.  Although  I  felt 
myself  honoured  by  the  flattering  offer,  I  durst  not  accept  it. 
I  reflected.  If  my  commission  to  visit  Canada  and  Europe  is 
from  God,  then  I  am  not  at  hberty  to  be  an  agent  of  this 
kmd  ;  because,  in  no  part  of  it,  is  a  temperance  agency  (in 
the  proper  sense  of  the  term)  written.     On  the  same  prin- 


82  REVIVAL    SCEXES   IX   LOWER   CANADA. 

ciple,  I  rejected  the  proposition  of  some  of  my  friends,  to 
procure  an  agency  for  the  promotion  of  the  objects  of  the 
"  American  Bible  Society."  True,  this  would  lessen  my  per- 
sonal expenses  ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  greatly  entangle  me 
in  my  revival  designs. 

But,  you  will  ask,  "How  could  you  then  consistently  de- 
liver so  many  temperance  lectures  in  Quebec  and  Montreal  ?" 

I  answer,  on  the  same  principles  that  I  could  give  an  ad- 
dress at  a  Missionary  or  Bible  Society  meeting;  when  I 
could  make  such  addresses  subservient  to  the  revival ;  when 
I  could  mingle  with  my  remarks  those  eternal  truths  of  the 
gospel  which  awaken  and  convert  men ;  thus  affording  my- 
self an  opportunity  of  proclaiming  the  verities,  and  pressing 
the  claims,  of  Christianity  upon  minds  which  otherwise  I 
could  not  have  reached  ;  and  the  very  next  night  preach  the 
gospel  to  these  awakened  sinners,  and  thus  lead  them  not  only 
to  be  temperance  men  and  philanthropists  but  real  Christians, 
and  all  this  without  infringing  upon  the  rights  of  any  par- 
ticular society,  or  without  entanglements  from  claims  con- 
nected with  any  special  agency. 

Under  these  circumstances  I  cheerfully  embraced  such  op- 
portunities, and  thus  enjoyed  the  double  gratification  of 
helping  forward  the  interests  of  associations,  good  in  them- 
selves, while  I  carried  forward,  at  the  same  time,  conscien- 
tiously, the  grand  desig*n  intended  by  God  in  thrusting  me  out 
from  my  ordinary  sphere  of  labour.  I  intend  to  spend  only 
a  few  days  here,  and  then  return  to  Montreal ;  and  from 
thence  shall  proceed  into  the  United  States. 

Finding  myself  quite  imsuccessful  here,  it  was  impressed 
upon  my  mind  to  preach  restitution.  This  has  created  quite 
a  stir.  I  plead  for  the  rights  of  government,  as  for  those  of 
an  individual ;  and  insist  that  it  is  just  as  sinful  to  defraud 
the  customs,  as  to  cheat  in  trade.     The  smugglers  are  in 


IIEVIVAL   SCENES    IN    LOWER   CANADA.  83 

great  trouble.  One  ^vas  so  powerfully  wrought  upon,  that 
he  was  on  the  point  of  presenting  his  watch  to  a  custom- 
house oUicer  during  the  sermon.  So  he  confessed  afterwards, 
but  congratulated  himself  that  he  had  had  strength  of  mind 
enough  to  conquer  his  superstitious  weakness.  I  think 
the  devil  will  have  his  difficulties  in  keeping  some  of  them 
quiet. 

In  Montreal  the  effects  were  more  evident  and  general. 
Numerous  cases  of  restitution  came  to  my  knowledge ;  from 
the  small  sura  of  one  dollar,  ranging  upwards  to  two  hundred 
dollars.  The  history  of  some  of  the  cases,  though  melan- 
choly, was  really  amusing.  The  conscience  of  a  barber 
flew  in  his  face,  accusing  him  of  repeatedly  charging  two- 
pence more  for  a  certain  article  than  its  real  value ;  and 
keener  than  the  razor's  edge  was  that  conscience  in  its 
operations  upon  his  soul. 

Another  had  acted  the  rogue,  a  few  years  ago,  in  denying 
possession  of  a  bank  note  to  a  certaui  amount,  which  he  had 
picked  up  on  the  street,  although  challenged  b}^  the  o^yner 
a  few  minutes  after  ;  now  it  was  burning  liis  soul  like  a  coal 
of  a  fire. 

Another  was  the  case  of  a  young  man  in  a  mercantile 
house,  who  had  charge  of  the.  cash  book.  In  1839,  his  em- 
ployer one  day  made  a  wrong  entry,  by  mistake,  which  was 
to  the  young  man's  advantage.  On  balancing  his  cash 
account  at  night,  a  sum  of  money  remained  in  his  hands,  for 
which  he  could  not  account,  nor  was  he  anxious  to  do  so. 
Some  time  after,  however,  he  discovered  the  error  of  his 
master,  but  said  nothing,  having  expended  the  sum  in  a  cer- 
tam  article.  The  doctrine  of  restitution  fell  upon  his  ears 
like  peals  of  thunder ;  he  became  deeply  concerned  about 
liis  soul ;  but  tliis  stood  between  him  and  salvation  like  a 
gate  of  iron.      At  last  these  words  came  to  his  soid  with 


84        REVIVAL  SCENES  IN  LOWER  CANADA. 

awful  power,  "  Will  you  sell  your  soul  to  hell  for  the  sum  of 

?  "     His  conscience  recoiled  and  staggered  under  the 

influence,  and  he  cried  out,  "  No,  I  will  restore  it !" 

Another  had  defrauded  a  widow,  and  he  sent  the  amount 
to  Mr.  Squire,  that  it  might  be  restored.  But  I  cannot  go 
over  all  the  cases.  Excuse  this  very  hastily  written  letter, 
and  believe  me,  your  most  aSectionate  friend,  and  brother  in 
Jesus  Christ. 

After  closing  these  labors  in  Lower  Canada,  Mr.  Caughey 
visited  New  York  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  final  settle- 
ment of  his  pecuniary  affairs,  preparatory  to  his  European 
voyage.  In  reviewing  his  tour,  he  wrote  to  a  friend,  ''  The 
result  has  been  the  conversion  of  between  four  and 
FIVE  HUNDRED  sinncrs  to  God.  I  cannot  help  receiving 
this  as  a  convincing  proof  that  I  have  not  mistaken  the  wiU 
of  God.''  Truly  this  was  proof  amounting  to  a  demonstrar 
tion.  Nearly  five  hundred  souls  saved  in  a  few  months ! 
Thousands  of  ministers  would  be  inexpressibly  happy  could 
they  have  as  many  ''•seals  "  in  a  life  time.  An  "  impression  " 
so  fruitful  as  this  can  hardly  be  deemed  fanciful. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

HALIFAX   AND    THE   VOYAGE   THITHER. 

In  the  following  chapter,  we  shall  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  a 
sea  voyage  with  our  indefatigable  revivalist.  We  shall  be 
charmed  with  the  innocent  cheerfulness  of  his  spirit,  when 
out  of  the  din  of  spmtual  battle,  and  with  the  readiness  of 
his  ardent  mind  to  improve  every  opportunity  for  doing  good, 
whether  in  the  walks  of  social  life,  or  before  the  great  con- 
gregation. Viewed  merely  as  a  Christian  traveller,  Mr. 
Caughey  is  an  object  of  interest ;  but  there  is  a  high  moral 
sublimity  in  his  movements  when  seen  in  their  relation  to  his 
di\dne  call.  His  voyage  was  a  voyage  of  faith.  Like  ancient 
Abraham, he  "went  out  not  knowing  whither  he  went,"  and, 
for  the  same  reason,  because  "he  was  called."  It  is  this 
fact  that  gives  his  conduct  its  peculiar  colorings,  and  fills  the 
Christian  observer  with  admiration  and  even  wonder  at  the 
man  whose  simplicity  of  heart  and  action  is  equalled  only  by 
his  astonishing  labors. 

But  notwithstanding  his  call  from  above,  Mr.  Caughey 
omitted  no  personal  attention  to  his  temporal  afiairs,  that  was 
necessary  to  enable  him  to  stand  before  the  world  in  the  as- 
pect of  an  honest  man.  Before  startmg  for  Halifax,  we  are 
pleased  to  hear  him  saying  to  a  correspondent,  "  My  tem- 
poral affairs  are  now  nearly  all  settled,  so  that  I  do  not  owe 
a  single  shilhng  on  the  continent  of  America.  Help  me  to 
8  85 


86       HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

praise  God,  for  this  mercy  also."  Praiseworthy  considera- 
tion !  How  judicious  was  this  care  for  shilhngs  !  ,  It  was  wise 
in  tliis  devoted  laborer,  when  engaging  in  his  lofty  and  en- 
nobling mission,  to  keep  himself  unspotted,  even  from  a  shil- 
ling debt,  before  a  world  whose  delight  it  is  to  gainsay  and 
to  injure  the  children  of  God. 

The  letters,  from  which  this  chapter  is  compiled,  were  writ- 
ten from  Halifax  during  the  month  of  July,  1841.  He  says  : 

I  have  travelled  many  hundreds  of  miles  since  I  last 
wrote  to  you  from  St.  John's,  the  21st  of  last  April.  I  have 
visited  the  cities  of  New  York,  Albany,  and  Troy.  The 
Lord  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  preaching  in  several  towns 
on  my  route,  so  that  I  hope  some  good  was  done.  I  spent 
Sabbath,  the  23d  of  May,  in  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  (where  I 
received  the  call  to  visit  Europe,)  and  preached  three  times 
on  that  day.  I  had  a  most  refreshing  time  among  the 
dear  souls  who  were  converted  to  God  when  I  was  stationed 
here.     They  had  lost  none  of  their  affection. 

On  Monday,  the  24th,  I  visited  the  retired  spot  where 
God  allowed  me  to  plead.  Exodus  xxxiv.  5  —  7,  on  the  11th 
of  July,  1839.  After  that  memorable  period,  I  always 
named  it  Providence  Path  ;  and  so  noted  it  in  my  private 
journal.  Here  I  had  a  gracious  season  alone,  and  dedicated 
body,  soul,  and  spirit  to  God,  who  enabled  me  to  plead,  with 
great  sweetness  and  power,  that  the  blessing  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  might  attend  my  labors  in  distant  lands.  Although 
nearly  two  years  had  fled  into  eternity  since  I  prevailed 
with  God  to  unfold  his  designs,  the  impression  to  cross  the 
Atlantic  remained  as  strong  as  ever.  I  left  the  hallowed 
ground  rejoicing  in  God.  It  is  possible  I  may  see  it  no  more  ; 
yet  it  was  impressed  upon  my  mind  that  I  should  be  brought 
back  again  to  praise  him  in  that  place  for  his  abounding 
tiaercies. 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.        87 

About  one  o'clock  I  left  "VYhiteliall,  in  the  steamer  Wliite- 
hall,  Captain  Lyon,  for  Burlington,  Vt.,  where  I  arrived  in 
the  evening.  My  soul  was  deeply  engaged  in  prayer  all  the 
day,  many  times  repeating,  as  I  walked  the  deck :  — 

"  Till  glad  I  lay  this  body  down, 
Thy  servant,  Lord,  attend  ; 
And  0,  my  life  of  mei-cies  crown 
With  a  triumphant  end  !" 

On  the  evening  of  the  28th  of  May  I  bade  farewell  to 
my  Burlington  friends.  Several  of  them  accompanied  me 
on  board  the  steamer.  We  had  a  very  solemn  time  in  part- 
ing. Some  thoiight  they  should  see  my  face  no  more  : 
others  had  confidence  that  I  should  be  spared  to  return, 
whether  they  should  live  to  see  me  or  not.  As  to  my  own 
feelings,  they  were  too  deep  and  various  for  utterance.  The 
friends  went  ashore,  and  our  steamer,  like  an  arrow,  darted 
forward  on  that  fine  expanse  of  water.  I  walked  the  deck 
till  midnight  engaged  in  prayer ;  and,  after  taking  a  last 
look  at  the  United  States,  retired  to  my  berth.  Next  morn- 
ing I  landed  at  St.  John's.  I  was  rejoiced  to  find  they 
had  raised  the  chapel  subscription  to  seventeen  hundred 
dollars. 

I  spent  a  few  days  in  Montreal,  and  then  sailed  for  Que- 
bec, where  I  arrived  on  the  5th  of  June  ;  I  spent  about 
twenty-four  days  in  that  city.  It  was  not  my  intention  to 
stay  so  long,  but  conscientious  scruples  detained  me.  The 
The  Unicorn  steamer  was  announced  to  sail  on  Sabbath,  the 
13th  June.  This  involved  my  conscience.  I  could  not  see 
it  to  be  right  for  me  to  sail  on  the  Sabbath  ;  and  yet  I  could 
not  feel  resigned  to  postpone  my  departure  till  the  return  of 
the  vessel  in  two  weeks.  I  was  greatly  perplexed.  The 
eyes  of  thousands  were  upon  me  ;  and  if  my  own  conscience 
had  been  satisfied,  I  dui-st  not  give  that  Sabbath-breaking 


88        HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

city  a  bad  example.  On  conversing  with  the  captain,  and 
finding  him  immovable,  I  concluded  to  wait  two  weeks  ;  when 
he  would  sail  positively  on  a  week-day.  My  mind  had  been 
much  cast  down  for  a  few  days,  with  many  sore  exercises  and 
buffetings  from  the  devil ;  but  shortly  after  I  gave  my  de- 
cision, the  gloom  was  totally  dispersed,  and  peace  and  joy 
overspread  my  soul.  Since  then  my  peace  has  been  like  a 
river.     Isaiah  xlviii.  18. 

The  Quebec  friends  were  greatly  rejoiced  when  they 
learned  I  would  spend  a  couple  of  weeks  with  them.  The 
chapel  was  opened  for  preaching  every  night,  and  the  power 
of  God  was  displayed  among  his  people.  Sinners  were  con- 
verted to  God  daily,  and  the  young  converts  of  last  winter 
were  greatly  strengthened.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  kind- 
ness of  that  dear  people  ;  every  thing  was  done  that  human 
beings  could  do  to  render  my  stay  pleasant  to  myself.  I  had 
several  delightful  excursions,  sometimes  with  the  most  agree- 
able company ;  often  on  horseback  alone. 

As  you  intend  to  visit  Quebec,  you  must  not  fail  to  see 
the  Falls  of  Montmorency ;  they  are  only  a  few  miles  from 
the  city.  The  ride  is  charming,  and  the  Falls  will  afford  you 
some  sublime  sensations.  You  will  not  be  overwhelmed  with 
those  indescribable  emotions,  which  you  felt  when  gazing 
upon  the  terrific  majesty  and  overpowering  grandeur  of 
Niagara ;  but  you  will  be  conscious  of  feelings  quite  as 
gracious  and  pleasurable.  Here  you  will  see  a  river  of  con- 
siderable magnitude,  gathered  into  a  comparatively  narrow 
channel,  moving  on  under  a  placid  surface  towards  a  cataract 
of  two  hundred  and  forty-six  feet  perpendicular !  Be 
cautious  ! 

"  Swift  shrinking  back, 
I  check  my  steps  find  view  the  broken  scene. 
Smooth  to  tlie  shelving  banks  a  copious  flood 
Rolls  fair  and  placid ;  where  collected  all, 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.        89 

In  one  impetuous  torrent,  down  the  steep 

It  thundering  shoots,  and  shakes  the  country  round. 

At  first  an  azure  sheet,  it  rushes  broad  ; 

Then  whitening  by  degrees,  as  prone  it  falls ; 

And  from  the  loud  resounding  rocks  below, 

Dashed  in  a  cloud  of  foam,  it  sends  aloft 

A  hoary  mist,  and  forms  a  ceaseless  shower. 

Nor  can  the  tortured  waves  here  find  repose  ; 

But  raging  still,  amid  the  shaggy  rocks. 

Now  flashing  o'er  the  scattered  fragments,  now 

Aslant  the  hollowed  channel  rapid  darts ; 

And  falling  fast  from  gradual  slope  to  slope, 

"With  wild  infracted  course,  and  lessened  roar, 

It  gains  a  safer  bed, " 

and  steals  away  into  the  bosom  of  the  majestic  St.  Lawrence. 
I  know  you  love  the  grand  and  beautiful  in  nature,  and  I  am 
sure  you  will  retire  from  it,  saying  with  your  friend, — 

"  My  full  heart  expanded,  grew  warm,  and  adored." 

It  is  not  likely  you  will  visit  Quebec  in  the  winter ;  but  if 
you  should,  Montmorency  is  even  then  more  grand  than  at 
this  season  of  the  year.  You  can  then  walk  on  the  ice  be- 
low the  falls,  very  close  to  the  descending  mass  of  waters. 
Then  it  is  you  may  see  it  with  an  accompaniment,  which  it 
never  has  in  the  summer,  an  immense  ice-cone,  formed  by 
the  spray,  one  or  two  hundred  feet  in  circumference,  stand- 
ing in  the  centre  of  the  basin,  and  ascending  as  if  to  over- 
look the  surface  of  the  river  above  the  falls.  T  thought  it  a 
grand  sight  when  I  was  here  in  the  winter  of  1835. 

If  you  ascend  the  river  a  short  distance  you  will  light  upon 
a  place  well  worth  seeing,  the  Natural  Steps.  These  are 
formed  on  a  large  scale  by  successive  layers  of  shehing 
rocks,  and  modified  into  a  great  variety  of  figures  by  the 
action  of  the  waters  in  times  of  heavy  freshets.  Here,  in 
company  with  a  gentleman  from  the  city,  I  spent  an  hour 
very  agreeably  ;  and,  kneeling  upon  one  of  the  steps,  we  had 
a  most  deUghtful  time  in  prayer. 


90'        HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

The  celebrated  plains  of  Abraham  must  not  escape  your 
attention.  These  lie  south  and  west  of  the  city.  Here  the 
famous  battle  was  fought  between  the  English,  under  Gren- 
eral  Wolfe,  and  the  French,  commanded  by  General  Mont- 
calm, September  13th,  1759.  A  broken  column  of  black 
marble  marks  the  place  where  the  English  commander  died. 
It  bears  this  inscription : — 

"  Here  died  Wolfe,  victorious." 

Quebec  was  then  surrendered  to  the  English,  who  have  held 
peaceable  possession  of  it  since,  with  the  exception  of  an 
ineffectual  effort  during  the  first  war  between  England  and 
the  United  States.  Here  your  General  Montgomery  was 
killed,  in  a  desperate  struggle  to  scale  the  walls.  The  place 
where  he  fell  was  pointed  out  to  me  below  Prescott  Gate. 
Any  intelligent  person  can  show  you  the  place  where  the 
English  army  ascended  from  the  brink  of  the  St.  Lawrence, 
on  the  night  previous  to  the  battle.  All  visiters  stand 
amazed  when  they  look  at  this  precipice,  not  less  than  two 
hundred  feet  high  from  the  river,  and  reflect  that  the  cannon 
and  munitions  of  w^ar,  necessary  for  a  great  battle,  were 
dragged  up  these  steeps  in  one  short  night,  almost  in  the  very 
teeth  of  an  enemy ;  and  that  these  wearied  soldiers  should 
have  gained  a  complete  victory  the  next  day  over  a  vigorous 
and  powerful  army. 

Quebec  is  built  upon  a  lofty  promontory,  formed  by  the 
St.  Lawrence  and  river  St.  Charles.  The  city  looks  best 
from  the  river  St.  Lawrence.  You  are  aware  this  is  the 
only  regularly  fortified  city  on  the  continent  of  America. 
The  walls  are  nearly  three  miles  in  circuit,  of  great  thick- 
ness, from  twenty  to  thirty  feet  high,  surrounded  by  deep 
ditches  of  great  width,  and  surmounted  by  batteries  at  regu- 
lar distances.     Every  where,  outside  the  walls,  the  cannon, 


HALIFAX  AXD  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.        91 

like  large  black  dogs,  are  peeping  from  their  threatening 
ramparts.  The  city  is  entered  by  four  or  five  massive  gates 
of  plain  architecture.  The  citadel  crowns  the  whole.  It  is 
built  upon  the  highest  part  of  the  promontory,  called  Cape 
Diamond,  and  is  considered  impregnable.  The  walls  are 
forty  feet  thick,  with  a  ditch  fifty  feet  wide.  The  whole 
includes  between  five  and  six  acres.  There  it  stands  in  dark 
magnificence ;  its  lofty  ramparts  frowning  down  upon  the 
river  and  lower  town,  from  the  dizzy  height  of  four  hundred 
feet.     It  has  been  well  called  the  Gibraltar  of  America. 

Time  will  not  allow  me  to  describe  the  buildings,  some 
of  which  are  elegant  in  design,  and  generally  built  of  stone. 
A  few  days  before  I  left,  I  visited  the  Marine  Hospital,  an 
excellent  institution,  and  well  ordered.  The  situation,  how- 
ever, is  too  low.  I  found  therein  one  hundred  and  fifty 
patients,  belonging  to  different  nations  ;  one  dear  sailor  boy, 
fourteen  years  of  age,  deeply  affected  me  ;  in  the  dead  hour 
of  the  night,  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  La"«Tence,  he  had  been 
ordered  aloft,  and,  missing  his  hold,  he  fell  from  the  rigging 
of  a  large  ship,  struck  on  the  deck,  and  fractured  his  thigh 
in  three  places  ;  poor  boy,  how  I  did  feel  for  him !  Lock- 
jaw had  commenced,  but  he  was  able  to  speak  a  little ;  he 
was  quite  sensible,  and  very  intelligent.  His  little  heart  was 
drawn  out  in  prayer  for  mercy,  while  I  was  pouring  out  my 
soul  to  God  for  him.  He  told  me  he  was  ^born  in  England, 
that  his  parents  lived  there,  and  that  he  had  had  a  rehgious 
education.  His  lips  the  next  day  were  closed  forever  ;  and 
he  obtained  a  lonely  grave  on  a  foreign  shore,  without  a 
relation  to  drop  a  tear  over  his  little  coffin,  or  to  raise  a  stone 
to  his  memory. 

I  am  sorry  I  did  not  learn  his  name,  as  I  may  possibly 
visit  the  place  where  his  parents  reside.  It  would  be  a  great 
comfort  for  them  to  know  that  their  lovely  child  died  pray- 


S^  HALIFAX   AND   THE   VOYAGE   THITHER. 

ing  to  the  God  of  his  fathers,  and  that  strangers  were  kind 
to  him ;  that  his  tears  were  not  unnoticed,  nor  his  dying 
groans  unlieeded ;  that  the  sympathies  of  heaven  and  earth 
encircled  him ;  that,  while  angel  bands  were  conveying  his 
wondering  soul  to  heaven,  stranger  hands  were  decently 
attiring  his  unconscious  body  for  the  grave  m  which  they 
laid  him. 

A  few  days  before  I  sailed  from  Quebec,  I  crossed  the 
river  to  Point  Levy,  and  spent  a  few  hours  very  pleasantly 
with  Mr.  Johnson.  We  had  a  charming  ride  in  his  carriage. 
The  scenery  is  very  beautiful ;  and  the  harbor,  shipping, 
city,  citadel,  and  adjoining  country  are  seen  to  great  advan- 
tage from  that  side  of  the  river.  We  visited  a  party  of 
Indians  who  were  encamped  on  the  sand  by  the  side  of  the 
St.  Lawrence,  some  of  whom  we  found  busily  employed  in 
making  very  nice  baskets  of  the  bark  of  trees.  One  old 
squaw  was  asleep  by  the  side  of  her  husband,  while  he  was 
engaged  in  preparing  materials ;  another  aged  Indian  was 
slumbering  by  the  door  of  his  wigwam.  They  received  us 
kindly,  and  were  quite  willing  to  talk  about  the  Great  Spirit. 
A  child  lay  stretched  on  the  burning  sand,  panting  under 
the  intense  heat  of  a  scorching  sun.  We  inquired  why  they 
permitted  the  child  to  sleep  there.  They  replied,  "It  is 
sick."  Perhaps  their  Indian  medicine  required  such  an 
exposure.  Their  mgwams  were  made  of  the  bark  of  trees  ; 
and  altogether  there  was  the  appearance  of  much  poverty 
and  degradation. 

As  the  heavens  became  suddenly  darkened  with  clouds  we 
hurried  back,  but  had  to  quicken  our  pace,  as  the  big  drops 
of  the  coming  deluge  began  to  thicken  around  us.  No 
sooner  had  we  got  into  the  house  than  the  storm  came  down 
in  fury.  I  had  now  an  opportunity  of  seeing,  for  the  first 
time,  a  Canadian  thunder  storm.     Nature,  from  a  perfect 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.        93 

calm,  was  thrown  into  a  tremendous  uproar.  Tempest  rolled 
on  tempest.  The  clouds  in  black  sheets  seemed  flying  to 
either  pole.  The  bursts  of  thunder  were  appalling.  Waves 
of  fire  rolled  across  the  sky.  The  peals  succeeded  each 
other  with  fearful  rapidity.  The  earth  trembled.  The 
heavens  resembled  the  ocean  in  a  stoiTQ,  billow  rolling  on 
bUlow,  broken  here  and  there  into  fragments  of  fire.  Al- 
though we  could  say, — 

"  This  awful  God  is  ours, 

Our  father  and  our  love," — 

yet  it  required  a  full  conviction  of  God  as  reconciled  lq 
Christ,  to  keep  our  minds  calm  amidst  these  contending 
elements.  "We  were  in  a  state  of  mind  fully  to  appreciate 
the  sentiments  of  one  who  said,  "  What  speaks  the  thunder 
in  its  cry  through  heaven's  clouded  palaces  ?  There  is  one 
God.  And  when  the  fierce  tempest  has  hfted  the  billows  to 
mingle  with  the  tumult  of  the  heavens,  what  voice  is  it  that 
rises  higher  than  their  loudest  outcry  ?  There  is  one  God. 
What  is  the  voice  of  those  tall  pine  trees  and  time-defying 
oaks,  royally  wavmg  their  hands  on  high  as  they  battle  with 
the  tempest,  till  the  hurricane  bends  them  to  sweep  the 
ground  they  have  so  long  shadowed  ?  There  is  one  God. 
Is  not  heaven's  artillery  ringing  it  through  the  air,  wliile  the 
red  lightnings  are  writing  it  on  the  troubled  sky  in  letters  of 
flame.  There  is  one  God."  We  all  said  in  our  hearts, 
"  There  is  one  God."  We  did  indeed  stand  ui  awe  of  him, 
as  a  God  of  majesty  and  power  ;  but  we  thought  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  saw  there  the  majesty  of  love.  Tliis  we  could 
not  doubt.  Jesus  was  precious,  very  precious.  But  had 
not  the  character  of  God  been  unfolded  in  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord,  who  took  upon  him  our  nature,  and  by  his  miracles, 
invitations  and  tears,  liis  Hfe,  his  sufierings,  and  his  death, 


94  HALIFAX   AND    THE    VOYAGE   THITHER. 

proclaimed  what  otherwise  w^e  never  could  have  known,  the 
love  of  God  to  us  men  and  for  us  sinners,  we  might  indeed 
have  believed  in  his  existence,  but  we  should  have  trembled 
before  his  dreadful  presence,  and  have  been  terrified  by  the 
manifested  power  of  the  invisible  God.  At  the  end  of  an 
hour  the  storm  came  to  a  crisis,  the  raging  winds  subsided, 
and  the  electric  fires  were  extinguished  with  torrents  of  rain. 
Soon  after  the  rain  ceased,  and  we  had  a  calm  and  beauti- 
ful evening.  A  few  friends  put  me  across  the  harbor  in  a 
sail-boat.  As  we  glided  over  slowly,  the  citadel  and  city, 
with  the  immense  forest  of  shipping,  appeared  to  great 
advantage.  I  went  straight  to  the  chapel,  and  entered  into 
a  gracious  prayer  meeting.  The  Lord  was  present,  and 
several  poor  sinners  were  converted  to  God.  Returning 
home  my  soul  was  very  happy,  musing  most  feelingly  on  the 
language  of  one  of  our  poets  :  — 

"  How  sweet  at  such  a  time  as  this  to  moralize, 
And  think  how  soon  the  storm  of  life 
Shall  pass,  and  leave  this  frail  and  earth-born 
Part  to  seek  a  shelter  in  the  grave's  sweet 
Solitude ;  and  this  imprisoned  spirit, 
Thus  set  free,  to  plume  her  wings,  and 
Soar  aloft,  to  gaze  upon  the  universe ;  and 
When  her  circuit's  done,  to  fold  her  weary- 
Wings  fast  by  the  foot  of  God's  eternal  throne." 

You  will  be  pleased  to  know,  that  in  my  voyage  to  this 
city,  I  had  the  agreeable  company  of  two  Wesleyan  clergy- 
men from  Quebec,  the  Rev.  Matthew  Richey,  A.  M.,  and 
the  Rev.  Ephraim  Evans,  missionaries  from  Upper  Canada, 
on  their  way  to  England.  The  particulars  of  this  voyage  I 
must  defer  till  another  time  ;  but,  before  I  conclude,  I  ought 
to  state  the  reason  why  I  am  not  now  on  the  broad  Atlantic, 
as  silence  on  this  point  might  cause  you  some  uneasiness. 
When  I  arrived  in  this  city  the  Columbia  steamship  was 


nALIFAX   AND    THE    VOYAGE   THITHER.  95 

alongside  the  quay,  "with  her  full  compliment  of  passengers. 
We  went  aboard  and  found  the  crew  clearing  out  the  fore- 
castle for  the  convenience  of  additional  passengers.  The 
agent  offered  us  our  passage  for  one  hundred  dollars  each, 
instead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five.  I  considered  the 
matter  over,  and  knowuig  that  I  should  suffer  enough  by  sea- 
sickness ui  the  best  part  of  the  sliip,  I  recoiled  from  the 
prospect  of  an  augmentation  of  it  in  such  accommodations  ; 
so  I  refused  to  proceed,  saying,  I  would  wait  two  weeks  for 
the  next  steamer.  My  clerical  friends  said  they  could  not 
do  so,  as  they  had  business  of  importance  at  the  English 
Conference.  It  was  quite  easy  to  see  from  our  looks,  that 
we  had  learned  a  lesson  now,  which  ought  to  have  been 
known  weeks  before,  that  we  should  have  either  sailed  from 
Boston,  or  have  had  our  berths  engaged  there,  if  we  intended 
to  go  aboard  at  Halifax.  Although  several  hundreds  of 
miles  nearer  England  than  at  Boston,  they  demanded  the 
same  fare  for  passage. 

The  vessel  is  gone,  and  here  I  am  in  a  strange  city.  My 
soul  is  very  happy  in  God.  Sweet  peace  and  a  glow  of 
divine  love  reign  throughout  my  soul.  Glory  be  to  God  in 
the  highest ! 

"  Within  his  circling  power  I  stand ; 
On  every  side  I  find  his  hand  ; 
Awake,  asleep,  at  home,  abroad, 
I  am  surrounded  still  with  God." 

On  the  20th  of  June,  about  noon,  I  bade  adieu  to  Quebec. 
During  my  stay  there,  I  preached  nineteen  sermons,  and 
delivered  two  temperance  lectures.  About  twenty  persons 
were  converted  to  God.  A  large  number  of  kind  friends 
accompanied  me  to  the  steamer,  each  vieing  with  the  other 
in  manifestations  of  Christian  love.  My  heart  was  deeply 
affected.  Many  were  the  tokens  of  their  friendship.  I 
thought  of  Acts  xxviii.  10.      It  was  so  in  this  case.     Not 


96        HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

that  I  needed  any  thing ;  their  kindness  last  winter,  together 
with  that  of  the  Montreal  friends,  had  anticipated  mj  wants 
for  some  time  to  come.  It  seems,  however,  they  were  not 
yet  satisfied.  A  few  moments  before  the  Unicorn  started 
from  the  dock,  a  person  came  aboard  and  put  a  letter  into 
my  hand,  and  went  ashore.  My  tearful  eyes  were  fixed 
upon  my  precious  friends  on  the  wharves  as  long  as  I  could 
see  them.  It  is  impossible  to  express  my  feelings.  I  re- 
strained them  as  long  as  I  could,  but  when  Quebec  and  those 
I  loved  had  disappeared,  *  *  *  * 

After  my  emotions  were  subsided,  I  opened  the  letter,  and, 
lo  !  a  check  on  a  bank  in  London  for  more  than  sufficient  to 
pay  my  entire  expenses  from  Quebec  to  England.  The  ac- 
companying letter  informed  me  that  the  gift  had  originated 
with  a  few  ladies,  followers  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I 
cannot  withhold  from  you  a  copy  of  a  note  which  I  found 
folded  in  the  check.  It  is  from  a  precious  servant  of  Christ, 
one  who  is  an  honor  to  her  sex,  and  an  ornament  to  the 
church  of  God  in  that  city.  Her  kind  husband  and  herself 
have  ever  shown  toward  me  the  affection  of  parents,  and  in 
all  my  visits  to  Quebec  their  hospitable  house  has  been  my 
happy  home.  May  the  Holy  Ghost  ever  bless  them  and 
their  interesting  family ! 

"  Dear  Brother  Caughey  :  This  is  but  a  small  mark  of 
our  regard  for  yourself,  and  love  for  our  adorable  Jesus. 
May  God  add  his  richest  blessing !  Perhaps  in  some  leisure 
moment  you  may  find  time  to  look  at  this  fist,  and  here  you 
wih  see  the  names  of  those  whose  hearts  the  love  of  Jesus 
has  moulded  to  beat  in  unison  with  your  own ;  and  who  feel 
a  sweet  confidence,  that  if  we  meet  no  more  on  earth,  we 
shall  meet  around  the  eternal  throne. 

"  Your  obliged  and  attached  sister  in  Christ, 

"  Mary  M'Leod." 


HALIFAX   AND   THE    VOYAGE   TfllTnER.  97 

Our  beautiful  steamer  clashed  clown  the  St.  Lawrence  in 
noble  style.  The  ministers  I  mentioned  in  mj  last  were 
most  agreeable  companions.     We  had,  indeed, 

"  The  feast  of  reason  and  the  flow  of  soul." 

As  our  vessel  flew  along  the  waters,  her  white  canvas  wings 
filled  with  the  propitious  breeze,  that  delightful  verse  rolled 
many  times  over  my  mind  with  the  greatest  sweetness  — 

"  Press  forward,  press  forward, 
The  prize  is  in  view  ; 
A  crown  of  bright  glory. 
Is  waiting  for  you." 

Thirty-four  hours  brought  us  to  Gaspe,  four  hundred  miles 
from  Quebec.  On  the  evening  of  the  30th  of  June,  Mr. 
Richey  preached  us  an  excellent  sermon.  We  had  about 
thirty  passengers  aboard,  and  they  were  very  attentive  to 
the  word. 

The  St.  Lawrence  is  a  beautiful  river.  From  the  east 
end  of  Lake  Ontario,  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  in  the 
Atlantic,  is  seven  hundred  miles,  which  is  considered,  I 
beUeve,  the  length  of  this  river ;  but  the  whole  extent  ot 
water  commimication,  by  the  great  lakes  and  this  river,  can- 
not be  less  than  two  thousand  miles.  Besides,  it  is  not  only 
the  outlet  to  that  great  chain  of  western  lakes  I  have  refer- 
red to,  it  also  receives  the  waters  of  Lake  Champlain,  the 
Ottawa,  or  Grand  River,  and  a  gTeat  variety  of  tributary 
streams.  The  scenery  from  Quebec  to  Gaspe  is  as  diversi- 
fied and  picturesque  as  you  could  well  imagine.  From 
Quebec,  one  hundred  miles,  we  had  almost  a  continuous  chain 
of  little  Canadian  houses,  with  here  and  there  a  small  village, 
and  the  spire  of  a  church  "  pointing  hke  a  silent  finger  into 
heaven. ''  When  these  are  past,  all  is  one  vast  scene  of 
desolation.  Forests,  rocks,  precipices,  and  mountams,  arise 
9 


98        HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

in  awful  and  singular  profusion.  On  approaching  the  Gulf, 
the  grandeur  and  exceeding  boldness  of  the  widely  separated 
shores  are  quite  befitting  the  mouth  of  such  a  mighty  ris^er. 
The  scene  must  be  appalling  in  the  depth  of  winter.  We 
found  ourselves  in  the  Gulf  on  the  morning  of  July  the  1st, 
and  were  out  of  sight  of  land  during  several  hours.  The 
weather  was  very  fine,  and  scarcely  a  ripple  ruffled  that  vast 
expanse  of  waters.  What  a  contrast  between  its  then  placid 
and  silvery  bosom,  and  the  terrific  uproar  observable  here 
late  in  the  autumn  or  early  in  the  spring ! 

Many  a  fine  vessel  has  been  ingulfed  here  ;  and  the  bones 
of  vast  multitudes  line  the  shores  of  this  dangerous  region. 
Only  a  few  weeks  since,  the  brig  Minstrel,  Captain  Outer- 
bridge,  struck  a  dangerous  reef  in  a  heavy  sea,  went  down, 
and  nearly  all  on  board  perished.  The  vessel  sailed  from 
Limerick,  Ireland,  last  April,  with  one  hundred  and  forty-one 
passengers,  emigrants  intending  to  settle  in  Canada.  It 
seems  they  had  a  tolerable  passage  ;  but  when  full  of  joy  at 
hailing  the  land  of  their  destination,  and  supposing  all  their 
hazards  and  hardships  were  over,  in  a  moment  the  full  cup 
of  misery  was  placed  in  their  hands,  nor  was  it  long  ere  they 
drank  it  to  the  very  dregs.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  the 
vessel  struck  on  the  reef.  The  boats  were  launched  and 
made  fast  to  the  fore  chains  ;  upwards  of  one  hundred  pas- 
sengers embarked  in  them,  but  their  doom  was  quickly 
sealed;  the  brig  '' heeled  ofi""  into  deep  water,  and  went 
down  stern  foremost,  and  so  suddenly  that  the  ropes  of  the 
boats  could  not  be  cast  off,  and  all  followed  the  ship  to  the 
bottom.  Out  of  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  souls 
only  eight  remained  to  tell  the  sad  tale.  These  eight  had 
got  into  the  gig,  which  was  towing  astern  ;  providentially, 
the  rope  which  attached  it  to  the  vessel  broke  when  she  went 
down,  and  they  escaped  from  the  yawning  whirlpool. 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.        99 

But,  ah  !  their  souls.  What  became  of  their  souls.  How 
sudden  the  transition  from  time  to  eternity  !  So  many  ac- 
countable beings  forced,  prepared  or  not,  into  the  presence 
of  the  Judge  of  all.  The  captain,  poor  fellow !  behaved 
most  gallantly  during  the  awful  scene,  declaring  that  he 
would  not  leave  the  vessel  till  all  his  passengers  were  saved, 
and  he  perished  with  the  rest. 

There  was  another  event  happened  farther  up  the  river 
last  November,  which  I  used  to  great  advantage  at  Quebec, 
at  a  temperance  meeting.  Two  of  Her  Britannic  Majesty's 
soldiers  went  on  board  a  vessel  on  business  ;  one  of  them 
took  with  him  a  bottle  of  liquor ;  they  got  drunk,  quarrelled, 
and,  seizing  each  other  in  mortal  conflict,  carried  their  ven- 
geance even  unto  the  death.  A  gentleman  came  on  deck 
just  as  they  went  overboard.  They  continued  their  murder- 
ous grapple  in  the  water  till  they  went  down  to  rise  no  more 
ahve.  But  the  matter  did  not  end  here  ;  the  man  who  let 
that  soldier  have  the  liquor  had  a  little  harbor  near  his 
house,  where  he  kept  a  small  boat.  One  morning,  a  few 
weeks  after  the  event,  on  going  down  to  his  boat,  lo !  the 
victim  of  his  rum,  the  corpse  of  that  unfortunate  soldier  lay 
beside  his  boat.  It  had  floated  seven  miles  from  where  the 
catastrophe  happened.  A  physician  told  me  the  eflects  upon 
the  man  .were  awful.  But  to  return  to  our  voyage  in  the 
Gulf. 

I  felt  grateful  to  God  for  the  calm,  not  on  account  of  our 
safety  merely,  but  I  did  not  want  to  have  a  foretaste  of  my 
sea-sickness  before  I  had  it  in  good  earnest  on  the  Atlantic. 
The  passengers  were  in  fine  spirits  ;  but,  at  the  dinner  table, 
some  appeared  to  think  that  such  spirits  could  not  last  long 
unless  recruited  by  the  spirits  beneath  the  cork.  Your  friend, 
being  of  quite  a  different  opinion,  was  drawn  into  a  tempe- 
rance debate.     The  bottles,  of  course  anti-temperance  char- 


100       HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

acters,  were  powerful  advocates  on  the  other  side.  After 
we  had  been  contending  some  time,  a  gentleman  from  St. 
John's,  New  Brunswick,  observing  a  bloated  son  of  the  cups 
deliberately  depriving  the  corks  of  all  authority,  and  liberating 
most  freely,  for  a  moment,  the  spirits  imprisoned  there,  then 
incarcerating  them  in  as  hopeless  and  objectionable  a  prison 
as  ever  poor  alcohol  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  into,  whispered 
in  my  ear,  "  How  horrible  a  thing  it  is  to  see  a  man  make 
such  a  steam  engine  of  his  stomach  !  "  This  brought  him 
out,  and  a  few  strokes  Hke  the  following  put  an  end  to  the 
debate  :  "I  have  been  to  Montreal,  and  also  to  Quebec.  My 
business  to  these  cities  has  called  me  frequently  to  the  cab 
depots.  When  looking  among  them  for  a  suitable  convey- 
ance, I  saw  poor  horses  whose  hides  presented  a  very  wide 
contrast  when  compared  with  others.  In  a  short  time  I 
could  always  tell  what  horse  belonged  to  a  temperance  man, 
and  what  to  an  opposite  character.  When  I  saw  a  good 
looking  horse,  and  in  excellent  order,  I  concluded,  that  be- 
longs to  a  teetotaller ;  and  when  I  saw  a  poor  animal  that 
the  crows  might  be  ready  to  fall  upon,  I  exclaimed.  The 
owner  of  this  takes  the  oats  himself ;  and  notliing  that  oc- 
curred afterwards  convinced  me  I  had  come  to  an  erroneous 
conclusion." 

We  had  only  been  a  few  hours  out  of  sight  of  land  when 
we  hailed  Prince  Edward's  Island,  and  the  Island  of  Cape 
Breton.  The  latter  island  is  separated  from  Nova  Scotia  by 
an  arm  of  the  sea,  called  the  Gut  of  Canso.  Both  islands 
belong  to  Great  Britain. 

As  we  neared  land,  Prince  Edward's  Island  looked  exceed- 
ingly beautiful.  And  now  I  saw  what  I  had  long  desired  to 
see,  that  strange  optical  illusion,  "  The  Mirage."  It  is 
formed  by  a  state  of  the  atmosphere  so  highly  transparent 
that  objects  beneath  are  reflected  as  in  a  mirror.     Prince 


HALIFAX   AND    THE   VOYAGE   THITHER.  101 

Edward's  Island  seemed  like  a  scene  of  enchantment,  or 
some  fairy  land.  The  shores  arose  in  bold  and  lofty  gran- 
deur twice  their  natural  height ;  and  every  object  more  than 
doubled  its  size.  The  little  white  houses  along  the  shores 
were  transfonned  into  high  towers,  and  some  of  them  looked 
like  splendid  waterfalls,  equal  to  Montmorency  or  Niagara. 
The  whole  was  a  complete  illusion.  About  ten  miles  east- 
ward, there  was  another  on  a  parallel  with  the  sun.  It  was 
formed  by  the  action  of  the  sun's  rays  upon  the  water,  the 
atmosphere  being  at  the  same  time  in  a  state  of  peculiar 
transparency.  This  was  entirely  a  water  illusion.  The 
little  waves  appeared  like  a  swamp  of  tall  reeds,  and  again 
like  an  immense  sheet  of  water  falling  over  the  side  of  a 
dam. 

Prince  Edward's  Island^  I  understand,  contains  a  popu- 
lation of  eighty  thousand  souls.  Cape  Breton  was  first 
discovered  by  the  French,  and  called  by  them  L'Isle  Royale. 
It  contains  a  population  of  thii-ty  thousand,  and  sends  t-\fO 
members  to  the  provincial  Assembly  of  Nova  Scotia.  The 
island,  as  I  said  before,  belongs  to  England ;  and  her  naval 
power  in  possession  of  it,  easily  commands  the  whole  St. 
Lawrence. 

We  cast  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  Pictou,  about  dark.  It 
is  a  spacious  basin  formed  by  an  arm  of  the  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence,  three  miles  from  its  mouth.  The  small  boats  were 
launched,  and,  after  some  difficulty  with  our  baggage,  we 
were  safely  put  on  shore.  ^Ve  made  the  voyage  from  Que- 
bec to  Pictou,  six  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  in  fifty-seven  hours. 
I  was  up  next  morning  in  good  time  in  order  to  get  a  good 
view  of  the  to^wn.  It  has  several  churches,  a  court-house, 
and  an  academy.  Population,  eighteen  thousand  souls. 
Timber,  coal,  oil,  and  fish,  form  the  principal  articles  of 
trade.  The  town  is  pleasantly  situated.  I  understand 
9* 


102       HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

there  is  a  high  probabihtj  that  it  will  yet  be  the  great  em- 
porium of  the  Gulf.  The  harbor  is  often  frozen  in  the  winter. 
The  coaches  were  ready  by  noon,  and,  after  bargaining  as 
we  could  with  men  who  seemed  determined  to  make  the  most 
of  us,  we  started  for  Halifax.  The  sky  had  a  very  threat- 
ening aspect,  and  the  inside  being  quite  full  I  was  compelled 
to  take  my  seat  with  the  coachman,  which,  however,  afibrded 
me  the  advantage  of  seeing  the  country.  Shortly  the  clouds 
dispersed  and  we  had  a  lovely  day.  As  our  route  lay  many 
miles  through  an  almost  uninhabited  desert  I  expected  miser- 
able roads  ;  but,  to  my  surprise,  they  were  excellent,  equal 
to  any  of  your  Macadaynized  roads  in  the.  United  States. 

Some  parts  of  the  country  were  very  thinly  settled ; 
others  a  wilderness  of  trees  and  brushwood.  There  was 
nothing,  throughout  our  whole  journey  across  Nova  Scotia, 
looked  so  dreary  to  me  as  the  desolate  and  abandoned  hovels 
of  the  new  settlers.  These  mournful  objects  meet  the  eye 
in  different  directions,  and  fill  the  mind  with  a  variety  of 
melancholy  sensations.  Ah !  there  is  a  spot  that  pleased 
the  inexperienced  eye  of  a  poor  exile.  There  he  built  his 
hut  of  rough  logs,  and  thither  he  conducted  the  partner  of 
his  joys  and  sorrows  with  the  little  ones.  Yonder,  with  his 
brawny  arm,  he  felled  the  lofty  trees,  and  opened  a  path  for 
the  sunshine  to  the  long  neglected  bosom  of  the  earth.  Here 
was  his  first  cleared  field,  still  full  of  black  stumps ;  the 
marks  of  the  spade  and  the  plough,  with  the  appearance  of 
a  scanty  harvest,  are  still  visible.  But  the  winter  came 
upon  him,  and  the  produce  of  his  two  small  fields,  which  he 
had  stored  so  carefully  in  a  corner  of  his  log  house,  was  ex- 
hausted before  the  long  and  severe  winter  was  over.  He 
had  no  money  to  buy  provisions,  nor  could  he  and  his  family 
by  any  means  subsist  till  a  coming  harvest.  A  council  was 
held,   and    he    and    his    wife,    with    weeping    eyes,   bade 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.       103 

farewell  to  their  home  in  the  wilderness,  and  they  never  had 
courage  to  make  a  second  trial  of  the  unkind  soil. 

We  travelled  all  night,  and,  as  morning  opened  upon  us, 
the  country  gi^eatly  improved,  and  continued  to  do  so  to 
Halifax,  where  we  arrived  on  the  3d  instant,  in  the  afternoon. 

As  I  related  the  cause  of  my  detention  in  my  last,  I  need 
not  repeat  it  here.  The  Columbia  sailed  the  evening  I  ar- 
rived. As  soon  as  the  Wesleyan  ministers  knew  I  was  in  town 
they  showed  me  every  mark  of  kindness  and  respect.  Here 
I  met  my  old  acquaintance,  the  Rev.  WiUiam  Crosscombe, 
who  is  Superintendent  of  the  Hahfax  Circuit.  He  and  his 
excellent  wife  were  glad  to  see  me.  I  found  them  both  as 
ardent  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  as  deeply  devoted  to  God 
as  when  I  parted  with  them  in  1835  at  Montreal.  Mr.  C 
introduced  me  to  his  colleague,  the  Rev.  Charles  de  Wolfe. 
We  had  not  been  long  together  before  I  found  in  him  a 
kindred  spirit.  We  have  had  some  dehghtful  rides  over  the 
peninsula,  and  have  taken  the  sweetest  counsel  on  the  things 
of  God.  He  is  a  most  intelligent  person,  and  possesses 
talent  which  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  enable  him,  if  spared, 
to  take  the  firet  ranlc  among  the  able  ministers  of  the  New 
Testament. 

A  home  was  provided  for  me  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Billings, 
a  merchant  of  the  city.  He,  with  his  two  daughters,  had 
just  sailed  for  England  ;  but  Mrs.  B.,  notwithstanding  all 
her  cares  in  the  absence  of  her  husband,  seemed  dehghted 
to  show  me  every  kindness  that  hospitality  could  devise ; 
dear  woman,  she  was  greatly  troubled  at  a  little  incident 
which  I  know  will  amuse  you.  Mrs.  B.  was  inquired  of 
whether  she  could  accommodate  a  stranger  for  a  few  days  at 
lier  house  ;  her  mind  being  troubled  about  the  departure  of 
her  husband  and  daughters  for  England,  and  worn  down  with 
the  fatigue  of  getting  them  in  readiness,  she  shrank  from 


104  HALIFAX    AND    THE    VOYAGE   THITHER. 

any  additional  trouble  ;  so,  casting  a  glance  at  the  stranger, 
who  by  the  way  was  far  from  presenting  a  tidy  appearance, 
being  in  his  travelling  dress,  unshaven,  and  covered  with  the 
dust  of  a  long  journey,  she  gave  a  positive  refusal ;  and, 
indeed,  I  could  not  blame  her.  This  was  Saturday,  and  I 
obtained  lodgings  elsewhere. 

Next  day  she  was  in  her  place  in  the  house  of  God,  and, 
hearing  your  friend  in  one  of  his  happiest  hours  unfolding 
the  wonders  of  redemption,  she  became  sorely  troubled, 
exclaiming  to  herself,  "  Oh  !  what  is  this  that  I  have  done  ? 
I  have  turned  away  from  my  house  a  servant  of  God,  I  have 
turned  away  from  my  door  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ." 
The  follomng  morning  she  applied  to  Mr.  Crosscombe,  and 
insisted  I  should  make  her  house  my  home.  I  did  so,  and 
in  her  I  found  a  mother  indeed. 

I  am  now  preaching  every  night  to  good  congregations.  A 
few  have  been  converted  to  God.  Will  you  believe  me  if  I 
tell  you  that  I  visited  the  theatre  while  in  Quebec,  "  The 
Theatre  Royal,"  and  that  I  was  on  the  stage  and  took  part 
in  what  was  going  on ;  that  I  had  authority  to  order  the 
necessary  scenery  ;  that  the  theatre  filled  well,  and  that  I 
received  great  applause  for  my  performances  ?  Well,  so  it 
was !  But  it  was  a  temperance  meeting.  I  chose  a  dark 
prison  scene  for  the  drapery  behind  the  stage,  and  brought 
forward  two  prisoners  to  be  tried  before  a  judge  and  jury. 
The  names  of  the  prisoners  were  the  Devil  and  Alcohol. 
The  chairman  was  the  judge,  and  all  who  had  not  signed 
the  total  abstinence  pledge  were  the  jury,  and  the  verdict 
against  Alcohol  was  to  be  given  by  the  act  of  signing  the 
pledge.  On  commencing  my  address,  I  told  them  it  was 
proper,  before  I  preferred  my  charges  against  the  prisoners, 
or  called  forth  my  witnesses,  to  apprize  them  that  I  never  had 
had  the  honor  of  being  a  lawyer,  nor  had  I  ever  had  a  law- 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.       105 

suit  with  man,  woman,  or  child,  all  the  days  of  my  life ;  and, 
therefore,  that  they  must  not  expect  me  to  adorn  my  speech 
with  legal  phrases,  nor  cramp  myself  with  the  technicahties 
of  that  profession.  We  had  a  stirring  time,  and  a  noble 
verdict  against  Alcohol. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Mr.  Booth,  of  whom  I  think 
you  have  heard  me  speak  when  in  *  *  *  * ,  and  who  is  the 
father  of  the  temperance  society  in  Quebec,  came  forward  on 
the  stage,  and  taking  from  his  breast  his  own  splendid  medal 
presented  it  to  me,  with  a  very  neat  speech,  in  the  midst  of 
tremendous  applause. 

I  arose  and  returned  thanks  to  Mr.  B.,  and  acknowledged 
the  kindness  of  the  audience,  as  well  as  I  was  capable ;  but, 
really,  I  had  no  command  of  my  feelings  ;  the  thing  was 
so  unexpected  and  so  unmerited  that  it  almost  unmanned 
me. 

A  few  days  ago,  in  company  with  Mr.  De  Wolfe,  I  visited 
the  ruins  of  Prince  William's  Lodge.  (Afterwards  Wilham 
IV.  of  England.)  It  is  situated  about  two  and  a  half  miles 
from  the  isthmus,  on  the  western  banks  of  Bedford  Basin. 
Here,  about  thirty-five  years  ago,  the  young  prince  careered 
in  all  the  dissipation  which  wealth  and  luxury  could  afford. 
The  building  has  been  rather  elegant  in  its  day,  but,  unlike 
the  ancient  castles  of  Europe,  it  is  not  likely  long  to  perpet- 
uate the  memory  of  him  whose  name  it  bears.  It  is  of  wood, 
but  neglect  and  the  extreme  rigor  of  the  climate  have  con- 
spired to  render  it  a  complete  wreck,  so  much  so  that  it  is 
dangerous  to  enter  it.  The  front  is  much  torn  away ;  this, 
and  the  hanging  ceilings,  tottering  floors  and  empty  chambers, 
exposed  to  the  gaze  of  the  visitor,  render  it  an  object  of 
mournful  desolation. 

We  wandered  over  the  grounds,  once  laid  out  in  hand- 
some walks,  but  now  totally  neglected,  and  overgrown  with 


106       HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

grass  and  weeds.      Here  and  there  we  espied  little  summer- 
houses  painted  white,  and  surrounded  with 

"  The  leafy  labyrinth  of  embowering  trees." 

But  the  fingers  of  desolation  are  busy  upon  these  also, 
while  human  fingers  have  been  writing  epitaphs  in  a  great 
variety  of  poetic  fancies.  Several  of  the  verses  penciled 
upon  the  walls  are  not  without  merit,  principally  on  the 
vanity  of  earthly  things ;  all  tending  to  confirm  that  impor- 
tant sentiment, 

"He  builds  too  low,  who  builds  beneath  the  skies." 

We  had  not  time  to  copy  any  of  them  ;  but,  after  glanc- 
ing at  the  circular  wine-house,  standing  lonely  and  decaying 
upon  a  jutting  promontory  on  the  brink  of  the  basin,  we 
came  away  mournfully  reflecting,  Here  is  the  place  where 
the  prince  revelled  in  all  the  luxuriance  of  English  living  ; 
but  he  has  gone  to  the  grave,  and  a  singular  frown  of 
desolation  seems  to  hang  over  the  scenes  of  liis  former 
pleasures. 

God  has  a  good,  a  lovely  people  in  Halifax.  Our  meet- 
ings are  delightful.  There  is  a  move  among  sinners,  and 
one  now  and  again  converted  to  God.  Here,  as  in  most 
places,  I  met  with  a  little  prejudice  against  the  adoption 
of  extraordinary  means  for  the  revival  of  the  work  of  God ; 
but,  I  doubt  not,  could  I  remain  here  two  or  three  months 
longer,  all  feeling  of  this  kind  would  vanish,  and  we  should 
have  a  warm  and  general  co-operation  from  all  who  love 
Christ  and  the  souls  of  men.  But  I  cannot  stay.  To-mor- 
row, if  God  permit,  I  shall  sail  for  England.  If  his  provi- 
dence conduct  me  safely  over  the  great  deep,  you  may 
expect  to  hear  of  me  from  some  part  of  that  country. 

The  other  night  I  gave  a  lecture  on  temperance.     The 


HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER.      107 

audience  was  very  large,  and  for  a  time  appeared  passionless ; 
but  when  I  got  fairly  into  my  subject,  the  cool-tempered 
Nova  Scotians  gave  ample  proof  that  they  were  capable  of 
the  highest  excitement.  Every  man,  woman,  and  child, 
seemed  resolved  they  would  never  drink  another  drop  of 
intoxicating  liquor.  Two  dogs,  which  had  followed  their 
masters  to  the  meeting,  got  full  as  much  excited  as  any  of 
the  rationals,  and  gave  their  full-mouthed  applause  in  their 
own  way.     So  we  had  what  Thomas  describes  so  nervously, 

"  The  clamor  roars  of  men  and  boys  and  dogs." 

Success  to  the  Nova  Scotians.  If  they  are  not  as  hearty  as 
they  should  be  in  reUgion,  I  am  glad  to  see  them  at  least 
whole-souled  on  the  temperance  subject.  Perhaps  the 
following  anecdote  may  not  be  unacceptable  :  — 

Previous  to  the  above  meeting,  a  committee  of  the  city 
temperance  society  waited  upon  me,  and  brought  with  them 
an  old  gentleman,  who  is  a  member  of  our  church  and  a 
warm  advocate  of  temperance,  to  introduce  them.  In  the 
course  of  the  conversation  he  said,  "This  morning  I  was  sit- 
ting in  the  barber's  shop,  and  my  large  dog  was  waiting  for 
me  near  the  door.  A  man  came  in  who  is  an  habitual 
drunkard.  He  has  made  efforts  several  times  at  reformation, 
but  has  again  and  agaui  fallen  into  his  intemperate  habits. 
This  morning  he  was  sober  and  thoughtful.      I  said  to  him, 

"  'Do  you  see  that  dog  V 

"  '  Yes,  I  do,'  said  he,  '  and  a  fine  one  he  is  too.' 

"  I  then  ordered  the  barber's  boy  to  hand  me  an  empty 
glass,  and  I  held  it  toward  the  dog's  mouth  ;  but  the  poor 
animal  sneaked  away  with  his  tail  between  his  legs,  as  if  he 
were  ashamed,  or  was  about  to  receive  a  severe  chastisement. 
The  poor  fellow  expressing  some  surprise,  I  asked  him  if  he 


108       HALIFAX  AND  THE  VOYAGE  THITHER. 

knew  the  reason  why  that  dog  sneaked  away  so.  '  No,  Sir ; 
why  does  he  that  ? ' 

" '  Well,  fiiend,  that  dog  was  once  made  drunk,  and  ever 
since,  if  a  glass  is  held  out  to  him  thus,  he  acts  just  so.  This 
is  a  Newfoundland  dog.  Several  years  ago  some  fishermen 
of  that  country  made  him  drunk ;  and  such  is  his  hatred, 
on  that  account,  toward  any  of  the  craft,  that  if  a  fisherman 
or  fisherman's  boy  should  hold  out  the  glass  to  him  he  would 
capsize  him  in  a  moment.     He  would  bite  him.' 

"  My  hearer  felt  the  reproof,  and  made  his  exit,  not  without 
receiving  a  lesson  which  I  trust  may  be  made  a  lasting 
blessing." 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE     ATLANTIC     VOYAGE. 

As  the  reflective  reader  peruses  this  chapter,  he  will  not 
fail  to  notice  the  inflexible  adhesion  of  our  traveller  to  the 
grand  object  of  his  mission.  In  the  friendly  outpouring  of 
his  soul  in  this  characteristic  correspondence,  he  has,  -vvith 
manifest  unconsciousness,  revealed  its  devotion  to  its  chosen 
work  of  soul-saving.  Amidst  the  mixed  society  of  the 
steamship  he  maintains  the  character  of  the  Christian  laborer, 
and  is  ready  to  grapple  in  argument  with  the  sceptic,  to  utter 
an  adroit  and  cutting  rebuke  to  the  gambler,  to  preach  the 
gospel  alike  to  the  purse-proud  voyager  in  the  cabin,  and  to 
the  poor  sailor  in  the  forecastle.  This  is  as  it  should  be. 
The  Christian,  and  more  especially  the  Christian  minister, 
should  see  his  field  of  labor  every  where ;  and  seize  upon 
every  opportunity  to  work  for  his  master.  Not  only  should 
he  be  heroic, 

"  In  the  world's  broad  field  of  battle," 

but  also 

"  In  the  bivouac  of  life." 

In  house,  shop,  street,  ship,  every  where  he  should  keep 
diligently  at  his  master's  work. 

It  is  in  this  devoted  spirit  we  find  our  revivalist  traversing 
the  ^^ boundless  sea."  But  why  is  he  found  there  at  all? 
10  109 


110  THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE. 

Why  is  lie  not  moving  in  the  quiet  sphere  of  a  village  or  city 
pastor  ?  Why  does  he  encounter  the  dreary  storm  ? — The 
dangers  and  unpleasantness  of  the  ocean  waste  ?  Why  goes 
he  to  another  land  ?  Does  he  expect  to  be  greeted  by  the 
open  hands  and  burning  hearts  of  affectionate  friends  ?  Nay ! 
His  friends  are  behind  him.  None  but  strangers  mil  he 
meet  on  the  shores  to  which  be  hastes.  Why  then  does  he 
go  at  all  ? 

Reader  !  Our  traveller  believes  God  has  a  work  for  him 
to  do  in  the  British  Islands.  He  travels  as  a  special  ambas- 
sador for  Christ !  Faith  in  his  call  to  this  high  mission  is  his 
only  support.  Inspired  by  this  faith  alone,  he  approaches  a 
land  already  filled  with  muiisters,  many  of  whom  rank  far 
above  him  in  position,  mfluence,  talent,  learning,  and  skill ! 
How  Quixotic  and  fanatical  if  self-inspired !  How  sublime 
in  his  faith !  —  how  simple  in  his  obedience  if  called  of  God  1 
But  let  us  join  Inm  on  this  ocean  voyage. 

On  the  19th  of  July,  1841, 1  went  aboard  the  steamer 
Britannia,  Captain  Clellan,  and  sailed  about  seven,  P.  M. 
I  spent  fifteen  days  in  Hahfax,  preached  eighteen  sermons  ; 
several  sinners  were  converted  to  God,  and  one  class-leader 
professed  to  have  received  the  blessing  of  entire  sanctificar 
tion.  I  formed  an  acquaintance  with  some  of  the  excellent 
of  the  earth  in  that  city,  several  of  whom  accompanied  me 
to  the  ship.  No  sooner  had  we  cleared  the  harbor,  than  I 
began  to  be  sick.  The  Lord  favored  us  with  fine  weather 
till  Saturday  morning.  That  was  a  bleak  morning  to  me. 
Nothing  was  to  be  seen  but  sky  and  water.  Our  ship  was 
tossed  about  upon  the  angry  waves  like  a  feather.  We 
could  well  believe  the  sentiment  of  a  poet : 

"  The  wave  behind  impels  the  wave  before  ; 
The  waves  that  rise  would  drown  the  highest  hill." 


THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE.  Ill 

Now  the  vessel  was  lying  across  the  deep  trough  of  two 
foaming  billows,  and  again  hanging  on  the  dreadful  steeps  of 
a  mountain  wave.  Sometimes  both  wheels  were  out  of  the 
water  ;  at  othei-s,  one  wheel  would  be  buried  deep  in  the 
troubled  sea,  while  the  other  was  several  feet  from  the  sur- 
face. It  was  astonishing  to  see  under  what  perfect  com- 
mand our  engineer  had  the  steam  and  machinery.  The 
surgeon  told  me  the  greatest  caution  and  vigilance  were 
required  to  regulate  the  power  in  proportion  to  the  dip  of  the 
wheels ;  as  error  or  neglect  w^ould,  in  a  few  moments,  be 
attended  with  the  most  fatal  consequences  to  the  machinery. 

To  he  in  my  berth  1  could  not,  to  sit  still  when  out  of  it 
was  impossible  ;  so,  with  a  few  other  determined  spirits,  I 
clambered  to  the  hurricane  deck.  Here  w^e  walked,  or  ran, 
or  staggered,  or  sprawled,  according  to  the  force  of  circum- 
stances ;  and  if  some  of  these  poor  sinners  had  never  read 
Psalm  cvii.  23 — 28,  they  did  at  this  time  receive  a  most 
striking  comment  upon  the  passage.  While  some  of  us  were 
battling  with  the  tremendous  motion,  resolving  to  keep  on 
oiu'  legs  in  spite  of  all  the  laws  of  gravitation,  we  amused 
ourselves  with  the  reflection,  if  the  sea  does  not  succeed  in 
finding  us  pleasure,  we  are  quite  sure  it  affords  us  employ- 
ment. 

I  thought  of  the  man  who,  when  asked  what  were  the  first 
principles  and  principal  parts  of  eloquence,  rephed,  "Action  ! 
action !  action  !"  If  so,  the  deck  of  a  ship  in  a  storm  is  the 
place  to  learn  action.  There  is  not  a  gesture  peculiar  to  the 
eloquent  orator  that  he  will  not  be  forced  to  imitate,  unless 
he  chng  to  the  bulwarks  with  his  head  over  the  side ;  hke 
some  timid  preachers  I  have  seen,  who  seemed  determined 
not  to  lose  the  pulpit  although  they  might  their  argument. 
Head  and  arms,  and  legs  and  feet,  are  all  in  motion ;  some- 
times, indeed,  not  the  most  graceful,  as,  in  "  the  storm  and 


112  THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE. 

passion  of  the  soul,"  it  is  diffiult  to  avoid  "  overstepping  the 
modesty  of  nature  ;"  but  some  are  the  most  graceful  imagin- 
able. Nor  should  we  forget  the  expression  of  the  counte- 
nance at  particular  seasons,  nor  the  eje  in  *'  fine  frenzy 
rolling,"  all  indicative  of  the  strongest  emotions  in  the  region 
of  the  heart.  If  a  man  have  acquired  an  awkward  method 
of  walking,  this  is  the  place  to  get  clear  of  it,  for  here  he  is 
put  through  all  the  varieties  of  gait  poor  human  nature  is 
capable  of.  If  he  choose  to  indulge  in  soliloquies,  and  he 
will  be  much  inchned  to  do  so,  he  can  relieve  himself  most 
pathetically  without  disturbing  any  body,  as  the  most  of  those 
around  him  are  as  prone  to  the  same  indulgence  as  himself ; 
and  the  nimble  winds  will  carry  away  his  voice  with  the  roar 
of  the  waves  and  rigging  he  knows  not  whither.  Here  he  is 
*^  alone  'midst  busy  multitudes." 

And  this  is  the  spot  to  exercise  the  lungs,  and  give  com- 
pass to  the  voice.  Only  let  our  soi-disant  orator  have  an 
audience  of  two  or  three,  and  resolve  to  be  heard  ;  if  he  suc- 
ceed, he  need  never  have  any  misgivings  about  making  the 
most  distant  persons  of  thousands  hear.  I  wondered  that 
Demosthenes  should  have  stood  by  the  sea  shore  to  exercise 
himself  in  oratory,  amidst  the  roar  of  the  waves  ;  had  he 
only  put  out  from  the  land  when  the  storm  was  abroad  upon 
the  deep,  he  might  have  studied  at  one  and  the  same  time 
gesture  and  elocution.  The  promenade,  or  what  some  call 
the  hurricane  deck,  is  the  place  to  exercise  one's  judgment, 
I  mean  during  a  gale.  For  instance,  two  or  three  dozen 
waves  are  coming  on  with  the  swiftness  of  race  horses.  Now 
the  question  is,  what  part  of  the  vessel  will  they  strike  first  ? 
On  the  starboard  or  larboard  ?  The  head  or  stern  ?  In 
what  direction  is  it  likely  the  groaning  ship  will  lurch  ? 
What  degree  of  inclination  in  the  opposite  direction  will  be 
safest  and  most  necessary  to  neutrahze  these    "  eccentric 


THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE.  113 

la^ys  of  gravitation  ?"  Shall  I  incline  to  the  north  or  south, 
east  or  west  ?  At  an  angle  of  how  many  degrees  ?  Quick ! 
alas !  I  am  flat  on  the  deck,  or  clinging  to  the  bulwarks, 
holding  on  in  desperation,  while  I  am  greatly  at  a  loss 
whether  to  show  my  displeasure  at  the  outrageous  laughter  of 
my  more  fortunate  companions,  or  at  the  fickle  ship  and 
unsteady  elements,  or  retreat  at  once  from  the  scene  of  my 
humihation.  The  msest  way,  hoAvever,  is  to  do  neither. 
Every  mishap  of  this  kind  must  be  taken  in  good  part ;  and 
it  is  generally  thought  no  small  mark  of  talent  and  good 
breeding,  when  a  man  can  gather  himself  up  without  embar- 
rassment, and  rejoin  the  company  in  a  manner  the  most 
graceful  and  easy.  I  assure  you  many  have  found  it  very 
difficult  to  avoid  the  indulgence  of  a  secret  wish,  that  the 
good  ship  would  try  an  experiment  upon  some  of  the  rest, 
especially  the  merry  ones.  Then  here  a  man  may  learn 
how  to  treat  the  world,  and  it  is  a  fine  opportunity.  If  many 
are  walking  to  and  fro  we  must  always  be  willing  to  go  out 
of  the  straight  line  of  an  intended  course,  in  order  to  avoid 
concussions  with  our  fellow-travellers.  We  must  bear  and 
forbear,  live  and  let  live,  and  join  hands  sometimes  to  keep  a 
poor  fellow  on  his  feet.  If  a  lurch  of  the  vessel  has  sent  a 
fellow-passenger  adrift,  so  that  he  has  lost  all  authority  over 
his  limbs,  do  as  you  would  be  done  by,  catch  him  if  you  can, 
but  if  not  without  a  violent  collision,  let  him  go, 

"  To  run,  or  vralk,  or  swing,  or  tumble  ; 
As  matter  and  as  motion  jumble." 

This  is  the  place  to  learn  forbearance.  If  a  friend  crosses 
my  path,  and  treats  me  to  an  upset,  I  must  not  get  out  of 
humor  ;  the  enemies  outside  are  to  blame,  and  they  don't 
care  a  farthing  for  our  wrath.  It  is  hard  to  feel  quite  right 
sometimes.  For  instance,  a  stupid  fellow  is  gawking  around, 
10* 


114  THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE. 

and  not  minding  what  he  is  about ;  a  sudden  jerk,  and  away 
he  comes  Hke  an  avalanche,  and  "  at  one  fell  swoop"  you 
are  level  with  the  deck  ;  and,  if  you  keep  your  temper,  you 
may  reason  with  philosophic  Locke,  "  If  a  greater  force  than 
mine  holds  me  fast,  or  tumbles  me  down,  I  am  no  longer 
free."  And  if  you  have  the  good  fortune  to  get  clear  of 
the  grappling  limbs  of  your  vulgar  companion,  and  have  the 
privilege  of  shifting  for  yourself  as  you  roll  along,  whether 
you  will  or  not,  you  may  experiment  upon  another  plain 
principle  of  philosophy,  laid  down  by  a  thinking  man  ;  and 
if  you  are  too  busy  in  other  matters  I  am  sure  the  spectators 
will  think  for  you :  "  When  a  man  tumbles  a  roller  down  a 
hill,  the  man  is  the  violent  enforcer  of  the  first  motion ;  bxit 
when  it  is  once  tumbling,  the  property  of  the  thing  itself  con- 
tinues the  motion." 

Well,  the  day  passed  away  slowly.  I  am  sure  it  was  the 
most  bleak  and  tedious  day  of  my  existence ;  a  day  never  to 
be  forgotten.  But  the  motion  outside  was  nothing  when 
compared  with  the  "  dread  commotion  of  my  interior  self." 
Milton  somewhere  talks  about 

^  "  Prodigious  motion  felt,  and  rueful  throes." 

I  wonder  if  the  poet  was  ever  sea-sick.  No  one  who  has 
ever  felt  this  "  prodigious  motion,"  and  these  "  rueful 
throes,"  will  ever  wonder  at  the  strong  expressions  of  ano- 
ther poet : — 

"  Cease,  cease,  thou  foaming  ocean, 
For  what's  thy  troubled  motion, 
To  that  within  my  breast  ?" 

As  night  approached  the  wind  lulled  considerably,  but  strong 
necessity  kept  me  on  my  feet  till  eleven  o'clock. 

As  I  was  pacing  the  deck  with  tolerable  steadiness,  a  Httle 
man  stepped  up  to  me,  and  entered  into  conversation  upon 


THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE.  115 

religious  subjects.  Perceiving  that  he  loved  to  talk,  and 
quite  preferred  to  be  the  principal  speaker,  and  not  being 
much  in  the  talking  mood  myself,  his  "  ruling  passion  "  had 
free  scope.  Finding  me  so  teachable,  he  began  to  open  his 
mind  upon  all  subjects  which  he  thought  a  man  of  my  age 
should  have  long  since  understood.  The  character  of  his 
mind  assumed  a  mongrel  complexion,  part  Quaker  and  part 
Deist.  "War  he  abhorred,  and  all  kinds  of  priestcraft ;  and 
all  priests  were  brimful  of  war  and  priestcraft,  priests  of 
every  denomination.  All  denominations  of  Christians  were 
wrong  ;  the  Quakers  were  the  nearest  right,  but  somewhat 
astray  also.  I  told  him  I  entertained  a  very  high  respect 
for  pious  clergymen  of  all  denominations.  This  aroused  him, 
and  he  recapitulated  his  arguments,  as  he  thought,  in  a  most 
convincing  manner.  I  then  began  to  put  the  little  man  on 
the  defensive,  by  proposing  questions  and  starting  objections, 
but  carefully  avoided  affirming  anything.  For  a  time,  as  I 
still  retained  the  character  of  a  learner,  he  retained  his  good 
humor  ;  but  finding,  what  I  before  suspected,  that  it  was 
much  easier  to  ask  questions  than  to  answer  them,  he  be- 
came very  boisterous.  His  voice,  not  by  any  means  pleas- 
ing, arose  in  shrillness  to  a  squeak  ;  so  if  one  storm  had 
subsided,  here  was  the  beginning  of  another.  It  was  very 
gratifying  to  him  that  I  should  be  the  humble  pupil,  but  it 
became  rather  hazardous  for  the  pupil  to  confound  the  tutor. 
The  dilemma  was  sometimes  most  humiliating.  After  labor- 
ing hard  upon  some  plain  question,  and  that  too  with  the 
generous  prolixity  of  one  who  said  on  another  occasion,  "  I 
know  your  mind,  and  I  will  satisfy  it ;  neither  will  I  do  it 
like  a  niggardly  answerer,  going  no  further  than  the  bounds 
of  the  question."  Poor  fellow,  going  beyond  "the  bounds 
of  the  question"  involved  him  again  in  other  questions, 
until  he  found  himself  in  such  a  labyrinth  that  he  lost  all 


116  THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE. 

patience,  and  called  me  a  "blockhead,"  "  a  most  ignorant 
man,"  "exceedingly  weak-minded,"  "incapable  of  under- 
standing or  appreciating  an  argument,"  etc. 

I  told  him  all  that  might  be  very  true ;  but,  as  I  had 
placed  myself  in  the  capacity  of  a  learner,  he  must  not  get 
out  of  humor  with  me,  but  have  patience.  Then,  in  great 
pity,  he  would  again  condescend  to  my  weakness  of  intellect, 
and  would  try  to  make  the  thing  appear  as  plain  as  ABC; 
but  this  gave  rise  to  other  objections,  and  he  was  driven  to 
his  wit's  end  to  explain  and  defend  some  palpable  contradic- 
tions. At  last  he  exclaimed,  "  You  are  either  a  knave  or 
a  fool." 

I  replied,  in  the  height  of  good  humor,  "I  do  not  feel 
greatly  desirous  of  setting  you  right  as  to  what  I  am,  but  I 
do  assure  you  your  self-conceit,  to  say  the  least,  has  involved 
you  in  the  fog  ;  so  that  I  will  venture  to  say,  you  don't  know 
to  which  point  of  the  compass  to  steer  for  the  rest  of  your 
argument." 

But  I  was  quite  mistaken.  After  calling  me  some  hard 
names  he  steered  for  the  stairway  of  the  promenade  deck 
and  disappeared,  to  the  no  small  amusement  of  one  or  two 
passengers  who  had  kept  close  to  our  heels  during  the  con- 
versation. I  happened  to  be  wrapped  in  my  cloak  that  night, 
and  concluded  he  would  not  know  me  in  the  day-time  ;  but 
he  did,  and  was  exceedingly  shy  for  several  days ;  but, 
before  our  voyage  was  over,  he  became  very  sociable,  and 
never  once  recurred  to  our  first  acquaintance  on  the  prom- 
enade deck. 

Another  incident  occurred  one  night,  either  before  or 
after,  I  am  not  sure  which.  I  was  sitting  in  the  saloon  read- 
ing. A  number  of  gentlemen  had  commenced  on  my  right 
hand  playing  cards.  I  concluded  not  to  retire,  and  continued 
reading.     The  author  suggested  a  few  thoughts,  and  as  I 


THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE.  IIT 

was  in  the  act  of  noting  them  do^Yn  in  my  pocket-book,  one 
of  the  party  turned  round  from  his  cards  and  said,  "  You 
are  making  extracts,  eh  ?  " 

I  answered,  Yes,  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  Ixxiii. 
Psalm.  I  told  him  there  was  great  beauty  and  majesty  in 
the  whole  Psalm;  but  the  16th,  17th,  18th,  and  19th  verses 
were  very  significant :  "  When  I  thought  to  know  this,  it 
w\as  too  painful  for  me  ;  until  I  went  into  the  sanctuary  of 
God  ;  then  understood  I  their  end.  Surely  thou  didst  set 
them  in  slippery  places  :  thou  castcdst  them  down  into  de- 
struction. How  are  they  brought  into  desolation,  as  in  a 
moment !  they  are  utterly  consumed  with  terrors." 

It  appears.  Sir,  the  Psalmist  was  pained,  if  not  bewildered, 
on  beholding  the  prosperity,  apparent  happiness  and  security, 
of  ungodly  men.  He  had  been  viewing  them  from  various 
points  of  observation,  but  never  could  find  his  mind  other 
than  in  a  state  of  confusion  respecting  them,  till  he  took  his 
position  in  the  sanctuary  of  God.  You  know.  Sir,  I  con- 
tinued, that  landscape  painters  have  to  change  their  position 
often  before  they  are  satisfied  as  to  the  best  and  most  com- 
manding view  of  the  scenery.  One  of  these  will  wander  up 
and  down,  from  rock  to  rock,  and  from  one  jutting  promon- 
tory to  another,  until  he  lights  upon  a  spot  which,  above  all 
others,  affords  the  most  superior  view.  So  it  was  with  the 
Psalmist,  when  his  post  of  observation  was  "  the  sanctuary 
of  God,"  where  he  had  a  commanding  view  of  eternity  ; 
heaven  and  hell  were  now  spread  before  the  eye  of  his  faith  ; 
then  it  was  he  saw  the  dreadful  precipice,  upon  the  slippery 
steeps  of  which  the  sinners  of  his  day  were  sporting ;  and 
he  exclaimed,  in  a  way  he  never  could  before,  "  Surely  thou 
didst  set  them  in  slippery  places ;  thou  castedst  them  down 
into  destruction.  How  are  they  brought  into  desolation,  as 
in  a  moment !  they  are  utterly  consumed  with  terrors." 


118  THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE. 

The  cara  player  was  very  uneasy,  and,  as  soon  as  I  had 
closed  my  remarks,  his  head  turned  the  other  way,  and  he 
took  good  care  not  to  ask  me  any  more  questions.  He 
neither  liked  the  position  I  occupied,  nor  was  he  satisfied 
with  his  own.  Who  knows  but  even  this  seed  sown  upon  the 
waters  of  the  broad  Atlantic  may  yet  spring  up  and  bring 
forth  fruit  unto  eternal  life  ? 

But  to  return.  That  stormy  Saturday  and  its  night  passed 
away,  as  other  days  and  nights  have  done,  and  a  pleasant 
Sabbath  succeeded.  The  captain  requested  me  to  preach 
to  the  passengers,  which  I  did  about  eleven  o'clock,  to  as 
many  as  the  large  saloon  would  hold.  Text,  Hebrews  vii.  25. 
All  were  very  attentive,  God  was  there,  and  a  very  gracious 
influence  seemed  to  rest  upon  every  mind.  I  described 
Christ  as  the  only  acceptable  medium  of  access  to  God : 
"  Come  unto  God  by  him."  Two  ways  of  approach  unto 
God  were  then  pointed  out.  First.  To  come  unto  God  for 
pardon  and  salvation.  Second.  To  wait  till  we  are  driven 
to  be  judged  and  damned.  I  insisted  that  God  and  the  sin- 
ner must  meet  in  this  world  or  the  next.  That  the  man 
who  will  not  come  unto  God  to  be  pardoned  must  at  last 
suffer  the  driving  process.  He  must  be  driven  to  God  for 
judgment,  and  from  thence  into  hell.  Again  :  That  it  was 
just  as  possible  to  be  damned  in  coming  to  God  in  a  forbid- 
den manner,  as  in  not  coming  at  all ;  and  commented  upon 
the  sixteenth  chapter  of  Numbers. 

My  second  proposition  was  the  encouragement  we  have  to 
come  unto  God  by  Christ.  First.  His  ability  to  save, 
"He  is  able,"  etc.  Second.  His  willingness,  "  He  ever 
liveth  to  make  intercession  for  us."  An  interceding  Jesus 
proves  he  is  a  willing  Saviour.  Third.  The  extent  to  which 
his  ability  and  willingness  can  go  to  save  us,  "  To  the  utter- 
most."    Concluded  with  an  exhortation. 


THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE.  119 

I  did  not  intend  it,  but  I  have  scribbled  away  till,  lo  !  you 
have  the  outline  of  my  first  sermon  on  the  iVtlantic.  At  the 
close  of  the  service  the  captain  invited  me  to  preach  to  the 
crew,  which  I  did  after  dinner.  It  was  very  sweet  and 
solemn  to  hear  the  tolhng  of  the  ship's  bell.  Many  of  the 
passengers  mingled  with  the  sailors.  The  vessel  rolled  about, 
but  I  contrived  to  stand  pretty  firmly,  while  discussing 
Hebrews  xi.  7.  Thus  ended  the  feeble  labors  of  another 
blessed  Sabbath  of  my  existence. 

On  Monday  the  waves  ran  very  high,  but  I  had  become 
quite  a  sailor ;  had  some  pleasant  conversations  with  several 
of  the  passengers,  and  spent  part  of  the  day  in  assisting 
a  German  to  the  right  pronunciation  of  some  English  words 
with  which  he  had  great  difficulty. 

The  weather  continued  rough,  and  the  restless  sea,  oh  ! 
what  shall  I  say  ? 

"  Wave  rolling  after  wave  in  torrent  rapture  !" 

Eut  day  and  night  our  fine  steamer  never  paused.  Onward  she 
pressed  to  her  port  amidst  a  thousand  insults.  The  prophet 
Habakkuk  speaks  of  the  "  deep  uttering  his  voice,  and  lift- 
ing up  his  hands  on  high."  Many-fisted  waves  were  lifted 
up,  and  thousands  of  them  would  come  rusliing  on  in  rapid 
succession,  hke  so  many  giants,  each  more  eager  than  the 
other  to  strike  and  overwhelm  her ;  some  would  fetch  her  a 
blow  right  in  the  face,  and  half  a  dozen  on  the  side  of  the 
head ;  while  others  threw  themselves  entu-e  upon  her ;  but 
rolling  and  staggering,  she  mounted  upon  their  backs  and 
"  ran  through  a  troop,"  while  thousands  of  her  enemies  fell 
beneath 

*'  Those  fleshless  arms,  whose  pulses  beat 
With  floods  of  living  fire  !" 


120  THE  ATLANTIC  VOYAGE. 

In  the  midniglit  hour  or  at  the  morning  dawn  we  could  hear 

"  The  beating  of  her  restless  heart, 
Still  sounding  through  the  storm !  " 

As  we  were  flying  along  the  face  of  the  waters,  reflect- 
ing that  seven  days  had  nearly  passed  away  since  we  lost 
sight  of  the  American  continent,  we  were  cheered  with  the 
exclamation,  "Land!  land!"  and  "land!  land!"  was 
re-echoed  from  every  part  of  the  ship.  In  a  short  time  we 
were  close  upon  the  northern  coast  of  Ireland ;  and  about 
dark  we  ran  down  between  Torry  Island  and  Ireland,  in  the 
midst  of  an  angry  sea.  The  moment  we  lost  our  hold  upon 
any  part  of  the  vessel  we  were  dashed  about  like  footballs. 
Next  morning  we  were  still  close  upon  the  shores  of  Ireland  ; 
and  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours  we  found  ourselves  running 
along  the  coast  of  Wales.  The  pleasant  hills  of  old  England 
rapidly  opened  to  our  view,  with  Liverpool  in  the  distance. 
After  a  pause  of  a  few  minutes,  in  order  to  receive  a  pilot, 
we  entered  the  river  Mersey,  and  landed  about  seven  o'clock 
on  the  evening  of  the  29  th  of  July.  We  made  the  passage 
from  Halifax  to  Liverpool  in  not  quite  ten  days ;  the  quick- 
est, I  have  been  informed,  on  record. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE   DENOUEMENT. 

There  is  something  exquisitely  touching  in  the  simple  and 
natural  narration,  which  Mr.  Caughey  has  given  below,  of 
his  mental  exercises  on  arriving  at  Liverpool.  Guided  by 
an  impression,  which  worldly  men  and  formal  professors 
would  treat  with  positive  contempt,  and  which  even  truly 
spiritual  minds  would  regard  with  a  degree  of  suspicion,  he 
had  left  his  quiet  pastorate  in  Vermont,  buffeted  the  violence 
of  the  ocean's  storms,  and  arrived  in  the  land  which  was 
divinely  designated  as  the  theatre  of  his  future  successes. 
But,  who  would  believe  in  his  mission  ?  Who  would  put  faith 
in  an  impression,  which,  however  potent  and  authoritative  to 
his  own  mind,  could  have  little  weight  with  others,  especially 
with  strangers.  Indeed,  to  confess  the  cause  of  his  coming 
would  certainly  render  him  obnoxious  to  the  charge  of  enthu- 
siasm. Knowing  all  this,  is  it  wonderful  that  a  spirit  of  sad- 
ness took  possession  of  his  heart  ?  Can  we  feel  surprised 
to  read  that  a  sense  of  loneUness,  a  feeling  of  perplexity,  an 
apprehension  of  evil  disturbed  his  spirit  ?  Nay !  All  this 
was  perfectly  in  accordance  with  human  nature  ;  while,  the 
degree  of  serenity  he  did  retain,  the  patience  with  which  he 
waited  for  God  to  open  an  effectual  door,  and,  above  all,  the 
tenacity  with  which  his  heart  clung  to  the  reality  of  his  call, 
and  the  certainty  of  his  final  success,  exhibit  him  in  an 
aspect  of  true  moral  sublimity  ;  of  holy  heroism  ;  of  a  man 
11  121 


122  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

"whose  convictions  of  duty  are  intelligent,  sincere,  enduring, 
and  any  thing  but  the  offspring  of  fanaticism.  .  But  we  must 
let  him  relate  his  own  interesting  story  of  his  emotions,  as  he 
walked  the  streets  of  Liverpool  and  followed  the  guiding  hand 
of  God.     He  says  : — 

All  are  strangers,  and  every  thing  is  strange.  I  have 
walked  from  street  to  street,  and  from  place  to  place,  un- 
knowing and  unknown.  Although  I  have  prayed  without 
ceasing,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  keep  my  heart  from  sinking 
into  despondency ;  but,  as  I  have  experienced  this  state  of 
mind  so  frequently  before  some  remarkable  success  in  my 
ministry,  it  does  not  much  discourage  me,  although  it  is  pain- 
ful. I  have  not,  as  yet,  fonned  a  single  acquaintance  in 
Liverpool,  if  I  except  my  good  landlord  of  the  Saracen's 
Head  Hotel ;  who,  by  the  ATay,  is  an  excellent  man,  and 
keeps  a  very  good  house,  as  good  as  any  Christian  traveller 
could  require.  I  have  found  his  family  prayer  very  profit- 
able to  my  soul.  I  enjoyed  sweet  communion  with  God 
during  the  voyage,  with  a  very  deep  sense  of  my  entire 
nothingness.  Often  did  I  think  when  walking  the  deck,  If 
God  did  not  intend  to  make  the  weak  things  of  the  world 
confound  the  things  which  axe  mighty ;  and  base  things,  and 
things  which  are  despised,  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring 
to  nought  things  that  are  ;  he  never  would  have  chosen  and 
called  me,  nor  have  sent  me  forth  on  this  solemn  and  impor- 
tant tour. 

What  is  before  me  I  know  not,  but  I  deeply  feel  there  are 
sore  trials  approaching.  My  mind  is  very  unsettled  as  to 
what  course  I  ought  to  take,  or  where  I  should  open  my 
commission ;  but  my  soul  is  calmly  awaiting  orders  from 
above.  Several  times  to-day  I  have  had  thoughts  of  going 
immediately  into  France  and  Italy,  as  this  is  the  best  season 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  123 

of  the  year  to  see  those  countries  ;  but  a  voice  in  my  solitary 
heart  seems  to  say,  "  No,  if  you  go  there  now,  you  must 
go  alone,  for  God  will  not  go  with  you."  My  heart  con- 
stantly repUes,  Then  if  God  will  not  go  with  me  there,  God 
forbid  I  should  attempt  it.  As  it  is  wTitten,  "  The  steps  of 
a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord."  I  have  some  confi- 
dence that  God  is  by  this  method  controlhng  and  ordering 
my  steps ;  but  he  commands  me  no  where,  and  I  am  doing 
nothing  for  God  here.  There  is  nothing  to  be  seen  that 
would  afford  me  any  comfort  so  long  as  I  do  not  see  lost  sin- 
ners coming  home  to  God. 

The  English  Conference  is  now  sitting  in  Manchester ;  I 
am  undecided  whether  to  visit  it  or  not.  The  preachers,  no 
doubt,  T\ill  be  all  engaged ;  and,  as  I  have  no  particular 
business  there,  I  should  be  as  much  alone  as  here.  I  must 
close  this  letter  in  a  state  of  entire  uncertainty  respecting 
my  providential  path.  My  soul  is  sitting  at  God's  footstool, 
having  no  will,  but  referring  all  to  him,  saying,  "  Lord, 
God,  if  thou  hast  sent  me  forth,  direct  my  goings." 

These  statements  open  his  heart  to  our  inspection  at  a 
most  interesting  period  of  his  movements.  And  this  is  one 
of  Mr.  C.'s  pecuharities.  Not  only  in  his  writings,  but  also 
m  social  hfe  and  in  the  pulpit,  he  is  remarkable  for  the 
transparency  of  his  character.  He  seems  to  have  notliing 
to  conceal,  and  is  willing  you  should  look  into  the  secret 
workings  of  his  soul.  How  delightful,  too,  is  the  place  and 
position  of  his  soul  at  this  trying  period,  "  Sitting  at  CrocCs 
footstool^  having  no  will^  He  did  not  have  to  sit  thus  a 
great  while.  A  faint  light  guided  him  to  Manchester.  He 
describes  his  visit  thither  in  the  following  language  :  — 

On  the  afternoon,  after  much  prayer,  I  started  for  Man- 


124  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

Chester  by  railroad,  arrived  tliere  about  dark,  and  put  up  at 
the  Star  Hotel.  Next  day,  Sabbath,  I  heard,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Bunting.  High  as  were  my  expectations,  I  was  not  disap- 
pointed. His  sermon  was  a  clear  and  beautiful  exposition 
of  that  striking  text,  Hebrews  ii.  10.  It  was  just  such  a 
discourse  as  only  a  master  in  Israel  could  preach.  The 
Doctor  appeared  in  excellent  health,  and  was  listened  to 
with  breathless  attention.  In  the  evening,  at  another  chapel, 
I  heard  the  Rev.  John  M'Lean,  on  Romans  x.  4,  and  was 
highly  delighted.  I  w^as  exceedingly  pleased  with  the  man, 
his  manner,  and  his  language.  There  was  a  gracious  unc- 
tion in  every  part  of  the  sermon.  I  am  sure  much  good  was 
done,  and  could  he  have  stayed  at  the  prayer-meeting  which 
followed  the  sermon,  and  assisted  the  brethren  by  his  pres- 
ence and  influence  "  to  draw  the  net  ashore,"  I  am  per- 
suaded a  multitude  would  have  been  entangled  within  its 
ample  sweep.  As  it  was,  a  few  came  forward  to  be  prayed 
for,  but  none  appeared  to  have  the  influence  of  Mr.  M'Lean. 
The  people  gradually  left  the  house,  and,  I  think,  none  were 
converted  to  God.  I  mourned  about  it,  still  I  believe  it  did 
not  return  unto  the  Lord  void ;  but  the  frequent  failures  of 
such  powerful  discourses,  as  it  regards  the  immediate  gather- 
ing in  of  awakened  sinners,  have  made  me  suspicious. 

I  formerly  cast  out  the  net  in  this  way  and  retired,  with- 
out taking  the  trouble  to  see  whether  any  soul  had  got 
entangled  therein  ;  and  for  months  together  I  was  not  aware 
of  a  single  seal  to  my  muiistry.  The  brethren  would  often 
say,  "We  are  on  the  eve  of  a  powerful  revival,"  but  when 
next  Sabbath  came,  sinners  were  as  far  from  God  as  ever, 
and  were  once  more  ready  to  play  around  and  inside  my 
harmless  net.  At  last  I  came  to  the  determination  that  I 
would  stand  by  my  net  with  tears  and  many  prayers,  and 
that  I  would  not  leave  the  fishing-place  till  I  had  seen  what 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  125 

success.  Then  it  was  I  began  to  see,  more  abundantly,  the 
positive  fruit  of  my  labors.  Sometimes,  indeed,  we  have 
"  toiled  all  night,"  and  have  "  caught  nothing ;"  but  then 
we  had  this  satisfaction.  The  net  has  been  drawn  ashore,  and 
we  have  done  the  best  we  could ;  the  fish  have  escaped  this 
time,  but  next  Sabbath,  by  the  help  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  I 
will  endeavor  to  have  my  net  ready  to  let  down  "  on  the 
right  side  of  the  ship,"  so  constructed,  and  of  such  materials, 
that  sinners  will  find  it  difficult  to  run  through  it  or  get  dis- 
entangled from  it.  There  is  much  meaning  in  that  invitation 
and  promise  which  Jesus  gave  to  Simon,  and  Andrew  his 
brother,  as  they  were  casting  their  net  into  the  sea  of  Gal- 
ilee, "  Come  ye  after  me,  and  I  will  make  you  to  be  fishers 
of  men." 

Is  there  not  also  an  important  lesson  in  that  singular  illus- 
tration used  by  our  Lord,  in  the  thirteenth  of  Matthew: 
"  The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  net  that  was  cast 
into  the  sea,  and  gathered  of  every  kind,  which,  when  it  was 
full,  they  drew  to  shore,  and  sat  down  and  gathered  the 
good  into  vessels,  but  cast  the  bad  away  ?"  When  a  minis- 
ter's health  m\l  allow  him,  and  suitable  persons  are  wilhng 
to  assist,  a  hvely  prayer  meeting  after  the  evening  sermon 
greatly  promotes  the  design  of  the  Christian  ministry. 

On  Monday  I  heard  the  Rev.  Robert  Newton  preach  what 
is  called  the  "  Conference  sermon,"  text,  1  Cor.  i.  23.  The 
chapel  was  literally  crammed.  He  carried  us  along  on  the 
majestic  stream  of  his  eloquence  during  an  hour,  and  closed 
amidst  hearty  expressions  of  satisfaction  and  joy,  especially 
from  his  admiring  brethren  in  the  ministry.  Mr.  Newton 
looked  quite  as  well  as  when  I  saw  him  in  New  York,  in 
1839.  In  the  evening,  the  candidates  for  ordination  related 
their  conversion  and  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  before 
a  very  crowded  audience. 
11* 


126  THE  DENOUEMENT. 

Next  day  I  sent  my  ordination  parchments  into  Confer- 
ence, with  the  recommendatory  letter  of  my  Conference, 
when  a  ticket  of  admittance  was  sent  me,  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, the  Rev  James  Dixon.  Here  I  became  acquainted 
with  several  of  the  preachers.  The  Rev.  William  Lord,  of 
Hull,  showed  me  great  kindness,  and  gave  me  a  pressing 
invitation  to  visit  that  town.  I  was  introduced  to  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Waugh,  and  the  Rev.  William  Stewart,  representa- 
tives from  the  Irish  Conference.  Mr.  Waugh  received  me 
with  all  that  full-toned  ardor  which  is  so  peculiarly  Irish. 
His  heart  was  open  to  me  in  a  moment ;  and  learning  that  I 
intended  to  visit  Ireland,  he  took  his  pen,  and  wrote  me  a 
letter  of  introduction  to  all  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  ministers 
in  Ireland.  Mr.  Stewart  is  the  most  agreeable  and  enter- 
taining companion  I  have  ever  met.  It  would  be  impossible 
for  you  to  be  in  his  company  five  minutes  without  thinking 
of  Proverbs  iii.  17. 

After  the  pleasure  of  dining  with  several  members  of  Con- 
ference, among  whom  was  Dr.  Hannah,  once,  you  will 
remember,  the  representative  to  the  American  general  Con- 
ference, I  stepped  into  a  railway  carriage,  and  arrived  once 
more  in  Liverpool.  It  was  then  strongly  impressed  upon  my 
mind  to  sail  for  Dublin,  although  I  did  not  know  a  human 
being  there.  After  much  prayer  I  felt  fully  persuaded  that 
this  was  the  path  of  Providence.  When  walking  towards 
the  docks,  I  noticed  that  two  steamers  were  to  sail  that 
evening ;  and  as  the  charge  for  a  cabin  passage  in  one  was 
only  half  as  much  as  the  other,  I  chose  the  cheapest,  and  for 
once  in  my  life  I  paid  dearly  for  my  economy.  We  encoun- 
tered a  very  heavy  gale  during  the  night ;  some  of  the  pas- 
sengers were  much  alarmed,  but  I  slept  most  profoundly  till 
morning.  A  gentleman  came  down  into  the  cabin  before  I 
arose,  and  said,  "  We  have  a  heavy  gale,  and  it  is  right  in 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  127 

our  teeth.  The  wind  says  to  our  steamer,  iVb,  and  the  en- 
gine says,  Yes,  faintly.  We  are  making  about  two  miles  an 
hour."  On  going  upon  deck,  to  my  surprise,  we  were 
only  creeping  along  the  coast  of  Wales  ;  our  progress  had 
been  very  slow  during  the  night,  as  we  were  only  a  few 
miles  from  Liverpool.  Now  I  found  out  my  mistake  ;  instead 
of  takuig  the  mail  steamer  I  had  gone  aboard  a  heavy  freight- 
boat.  During  the  gale  I  resorted  to  my  old  method  of  deck 
walking,  but  a  few  steps  convinced  me  this  must  be  aban- 
doned. 

Well,  if  I  could  not  use  my  feet,  I  held  on  with  my  hands, 
and  gave  employment  to  my  eyes,  in  scanning  the  mountain- 
ous scenery  of  Wales.  We  had  terrible  tossings  along  the 
coast  of  the  Isle  of  Anglesea. 

After  gaining  Holyhead  we  steered  with  a  straight  course 
for  Dublin,  at  which  place  we  landed  about  midnight.  I  put 
up  at  the  hotel  of  the  Northumberland  Buildings.  Next 
morning  I  arose  in  good  health,  but  with  great  moumfulness 
of  spirit.  Throughout  the  day  my  mind  was  sorely  de- 
pressed. I  thought  of  what  the  Lord  said  to  the  IsraeUtes : 
"  Ye  know  the  heart  of  a  stranger,  seeing  ye  were  strangers 
in  the  land  of  Egypt."  The  day  was  wet,  the  streets  ex- 
tremely dirty,  and  wherever  I  went  I  was  surrounded  with 
swarms  of  the  most  importunate  beggars.  Then*  pleadings 
for  help  against  hunger  and  distress  were  the  most  doleful 
you  could  imagine.  After  some  difficulty,  I  found  the 
preacher's  house  in  Whitefriar's  street.  On  presenting  Mr. 
Waugh's  letter  of  introduction,  I  was  received  with  great 
kindness  by  the  Rev.  Robinson  Scott.  A  few  moments  in 
his  company  convinced  me,  this  man  is  entirely  devoted  to 
God ;  and  an  acquamtance  of  several  weeks  has  confirmed 
and  deepened  the  impression.  After  a  short  conversation, 
which  greatly  cheered  my  mind,  he  conducted  me  to  Lower 


128  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

Abbey  street,  and  introduced  me  to  the  junior  preacher,  the 
Rev.  George  Vance.  With  him  my  heart  was  united  in  a 
few  moments.  Thus,  in  the  same  day,  I  formed  an  acquaint- 
ance with  two  servants  of  God,  which  every  day's  intercourse 
endears,  and  for  which,  I  beheve,  I  shall  praise  God  through- 
out eternity.  A  few  days  after,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being 
introduced  to  their  excellent  colleague,  the  Rev.  Henry 
Price.  On  Saturday  night,  after  I  had  retired  to  rest,  Mr. 
Vance  called  at  the  hotel,  and  requested  me  to  preach  the 
next  day  at  the  Henderick  street  chapel,  to  which  I  agreed. 
Next  morning  my  soul  was  sorely  bufifeted  by  Satan. 
"  Your  adversary  the  devil,"  says  St.  Peter,  "  as  a  roaring 
lion,  walketh  about,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour."  He 
roared  against  my  soul.  The  forty-second  Psalm,  and  the 
following  hnes,  express  what  I  then  felt :  — 

As  pants  the  wearied  hart  for  cooling  springs, 

That  sinks  exhausted  in  the  summer's  chase, 
So  pants  my  soul  for  thee,  great  King  of  kings, 
So  thirsts  to  reach  thy  secret  resting  place. 

On  briny  tears  my  famished  soul  hath  fed, 
While  taunting  foes  deride  my  deep  despair ; 

Say,  where  is  now  thy  Great  Deliverer, 
Thy  mighty  God,  deserted  wanderer,  where  ? 

Why  throb,  my  heart  ?     Why  sink,  my  saddened  soul  ? 

Why  droop  to  earth,  with  various  woes  oppressed  ? 
M}^  years  shall  yet  in  blissful  circles  roll, 

And  joy  be  yet  an  inmate  of  my  breast. 

I  know  this  experience  will  not  surprise  you,  for  our 
blessed  Lord  said  to  his  disciples,  "  My  soul  is  exceeding 
sorrowful,  even  unto  death."  I  had  no  doubt  of  the  favor 
of  God,  nor  that  the  blood  of  Christ  had  cleansed  me  from 
all  sin,  but  my  soul  was  like  the  grapes  in  the  wine-press. 
Have  you  ever  read  those  beautiful  lines  of  Rev.  Charles 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  129 

Wesley,  descriptive  of  the  mental  conflicts  of  Thomas  Walsh, 
who  died  in  this  city  many  years  ago  ? 

Impatient  to  be  truly  great, 

Ambitious  of  a  crown  above  ; 
He  coveted  the  highest  seat, 

He  asked  the  gift  of  perfect  love. 

He  asked,  alas  !  but  knew  not  then, 

The  purport  of  his  own  desire, 
How  deep  that  cup  of  sacred  pain, 

How  searching  that  baptismal  fire. 

The  Lord  allowed  his  bold  request. 

The  servant  is  called  forth  to  share 
That  anguish  of  a  wounded  breast, 

Those  pangs,  which  only  God  could  bear. 

Who  drank  in  his  sad  days  of  flesh, 

The  potion  by  his  Father  given. 
And  bids  his  members  feel  afresh. 

The  fierceness  of  the  wi-ath  of  Heaven. 

A  taste  of  that  mysterious  cup, 

His  faithful  follower  now  received. 
And  filled  his  Lord's  afflictions  up, 

While  grief  beyond  description  grieved. 

The  above  is  perhaps  too  strong  for  my  experience  at  this 
time,  but  my  soul  was  amazed  and  sorely  tried. 

After  taking  breakfast  with  a  few  pious  persons,  at  Mr. 
Vance's  lodgings  in  Abbey  street,  a  young  brother  conducted 
me  to  Henderick  street.  The  congregation  was  small.  To 
them,  for  the  first  time  in  Europe,  I  opened  my  commission, 
from  John  xvii.  1 :  "  Father  !  the  hour  is  come."  The  Lord 
touched  the  hearts  of  several,  and  a  gracious  influence  rested 
on  the  whole  congregation.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  ser- 
vice I  quietly  retired  through  a  door  under  the  pulpit,  and 
regamed  the  street,  little  imagining  the  stii-  which  had  been 
excited  among  the  dear  people  ui  the  chapel.     Some  were 


130  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

saying,  "  Who  is  he  ?"  others,  "  What  is  his  name  ?"  One 
Httle  party  were  inquiring,  "  Who  sent  him  here  ?"  and 
another,  were  fully  of  opinion  that  "  this  stranger  should  be 
invited  to  preach  again  at  night." 

In  the  mean  time  I  and  my  guide  were  hastening  back 
again  to  Abbey  street  chapel,  to  receive  the  sacrament. 
Two  brethren,  Wilham  Fielding  and  Richard  Craig,  who 
have  since  been  very  valuable  friends  to  me,  were  dispatched 
after  us,  and  when  they  overtook  us  they  presented  the  wish 
of  the  people.  I  consented  on  condition  it  should  be  agree- 
able to  the  preachers.  They  soon  obtained  permission,  and 
that  night  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation  with  a  good 
degree  of  liberty.  An  influence  from  heaven  rested  upon 
the  leaders  ;  and,  after  a  consultation  with  their  ministers,  it 
was  resolved  to  hold  "special  services"  during  the  week, 
"  to  promote  a  revival  of  the  work  of  God."  I  agreed  to 
preach  four  nights,  but  with  the  secret  determination  to  leave 
the  following  week.  I  left  the  hotel  on  receiving  a  pressing 
invitation  from  Mr.  Fielding  to  make  his  house  my  home. 
Towards  the  latter  part  of  the  week  we  found  ourselves  sur- 
rounded with  weeping  penitents.  The  glory  of  the  Lord 
filled  the  house,  and  sinners  were  daily  converted  to  God. 
We  continued  these  services  in  this  chapel  during  four  weeks. 
A  select  meeting  was  then  appointed  for  the  young  converts, 
and  one  hundred  and  thirty  persons  came  forward  to  testify 
that  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  had  pardoned  all  their  sins. 

All  the  young  converts  were  very  clear  as  to  the  distinct 
manner  in  which  they  had  been  awakened,  as  well  as  in  the 
time  and  place  of  their  conversion.  This  will  be  of  no  small 
assistance  to  them  in  their  future  conflicts,  if  they  prove  faith- 
ful. A  Christian  has  great  advantage  over  the  enemy  of 
his  soul,  when  he  can  confidently  refer  to  the  precise  place 
and  exact  time  of  his  adoption  into  the  family  of  God.     My 


THE  DENOUEMENT.  131 

soul  was  much  comforted  in  beholding  such  an  affecting  scene. 
The  language  of  my  heart  was, — 

"  Who,  I  ask,  in  amaze, 
Hath  begotten  me  these  ? 
And  inquire  from  what  quarter  they  came  : 
My  full  heart  it  replies, 
They  are  born  from  the  skies, 
And  gives  glory  to  God  and  the  Lamb." 

It  would  be  impossible,  my  dear  friend,  to  tell  you  how 
severe  were  my  mental  trials  during  the  four  weeks  I  spent 
in  this  chapel.  Sometimes  it  did  appear  as  though  the  devil 
would  have  torn  me  to  pieces.  Fiery  darts  were  cast  at  me 
as  thick  as  hail.  My  soul  was  almost  conthiually  pressed 
down  by  a  weight  that  was  scarcely  supportable  ;  and  yet 
the  adversary  could  not  touch  either  my  justification  or 
sanctification.  His  evident  design  was  to  drive  me  out  of 
the  city.  He  constantly  insisted,  "  You  shall  not  be  per- 
mitted to  enjoy  any  comfort  in  Dublin,  so  you  had  better  be 
off."  The  Lord,  I  believe,  on  the  other  hand,  showed  me, 
if  I  would  leave  before  he  gave  me  liberty,  I  should  be  no 
better  off  in  any  other  place.  I  therefore  determined  to 
fight  it  out,  and  bear  patiently  the  grievous  curses  of  this 
infernal  Shimei,  2  Samuel  xvi.  ;  and  curse  me  he  did,  by 
day  and  night,  from  street  to  street,  in  the  pulpit  and  out  of 
it ;  but  I  continued,  with  all  my  might,  to  win  sinners  to 
Christ.  He  never  insinuated  that  he  would  have  me  in  hell, 
nor  that  I  was  a  hypocrite,  nor  any  thing  of  the  kind ;  but, 
that  if  I  would  injure  his  kingdom,  he  would  injure  me  ;  that, 
if  I  should  keep  up  hostilities,  he  would  do  the  same  ;  and, 
at  least,  deprive  me  of  all  comfort.  Allow  me,  however,  my 
dear  friend,  to  say,  that  I  was  often  compelled  to  acknowl- 
edge :  — 

"  Calm  amidst  tremendous  motion, 
Knowing  that  my  Lord  is  nigh ; 

Weaves  obey  him. 
And  the  storms  before  him  fly." 


132  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

At  a  particular  time,  I  opened  on  Ezekiel  xlvii.  3 — 5, 
which  gave  me  great  encouragement.  The  first  real  check 
the  devil  received  from  God  was  when  I  was  walking  in  the 
Phoenix  Park,  near  the  city.  God  then  came  down  upon 
my  soul  in  mighty  power.  The  enemy  was  silenced,  and 
I  rejoiced  "  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory."  Satan 
returned  again  with  more  caution  and  less  confidence.  God 
then  put  a  hook  in  his  jaws,  and  said,  ''  Thus  far  thou  shalt 
go,  but  no  farther."  There  were  other  particular  seasons  of 
divine  visitations  to  my  soul,  in  which  God  "  half  revealed 
his  face."  The  consciousness  of  the  immediate  presence  of 
God  to  my  soul  was  deep  and  unutterable. 

You  will  remember  that  I  related  to  you  some  gracious 
revealings  of  a  spiritual  nature,  before  I  left  America,  in 
which  I  thought  God  condescended  to  converse  with  my 
spirit,  and  gave  me  many  special  directions  for  the  guidance 
both  of  my  present  and  future  movements.  It  was  in  the 
same  manner,  though  far  clearer,  and  vfith  greater  power 
and  unction,  an  invisible  agent  seemed  to  hold  conversation 
with  my  soul ;  in  which  promises,  directions,  and  encourage- 
ments, were  given  in  quick  succession.  My  spirit  was  often 
as  still  as  the  midnight  hour,  and  the  communings  of  an 
active  agent  were  as  perceptible  as  any  conversation  I  ever 
had  with  a  visible  friend.  More  I  cannot  venture  to  say  at 
present.  Of  this  I  am  persuaded,  I  shaU  see  some  striking 
displays  of  the  power  of  God  in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 
The  following  came  with  uncommon  force  :  "  I  wiU  be  with 
thee  whithersoever  thou  shalt  go,  to  deliver  thee."  Also 
the  passage,  John  xiv.  21 — 23. 

The  state  of  my  soul  during  these  divine  visitations  was 
that  of  deep  self-abasement.  A  solemn  and  an  oppressive 
awe  rested  upon  my  whole  nature ;  yet,  strange  as  it  may 
appear,  my  soul  was  weaker  than  a  bruised  reed.     The  more 


THE    DENOUEMENT.  133 

firmly  I  believed  and  rested  upon  the  divine  promises  and 
counsels,  the  more  I  gained  strength  ;  and  when  such  man- 
ifestations in  a  great  measure  ceased,  I  received  in  their 
place  a  larger  measure  of  the  perfect  love  of  God.  Eut 
you  are  ready  to  inquire,  "  Had  you  no  doubts  whether  such 
communications  came  from  God  ?  "  No,  I  cannot  say  I  had, 
they  came  in  such  a  way,  and  with  such  an  holy  unction,  as 
to  leave  no  room  for  doubts.  I  may  also  add  there  was 
nothing  in  them  to  excite  my  suspicion,  nothing  contrary  to 
the  written  word  of  God ;  if  so,  I  should  have  rejected  them 
with  horror ;  nothing  that  did  not  lead  to  purity  and  entire 
devotedness  to  God. 

When  the  Rev.  Thomas  Waugh,  the  Superintendent  of 
this  Circuit,  returned  from  England,  he  was  made  acquainted 
with  the  amazing  work  of  God  going  on.  He  immediately 
sanctioned  my  movements,  placed  the  fullest  confidence  in 
me,  and  told  me  to  go  on  in  my  own  way.  From  then  till 
now  he  has  been  ever  ready  to  open  any  door  of  usefulness 
to  me  within  his  power ;  I  thank  God  for  such  a  friend. 
This  long  communication,  which  I  know  will  rejoice  your 
heart,  as  well  as  many  of  my  other  dear  friends  in  America, 
I  must  now  close.  The  re\dval  is  going  on  in  another  chapel 
with  great  power.  Between  two  and  three  hundred  sinners 
have  been  converted  to  God.  Glory,  eternal  glory,  be  to 
that  God,  who 

*    *    *    "  Moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
His  wonders  to  perform  ;  " 

and  who,  adored  be  his  name !  can, — 

"  Thougli  hell  weaves  snares  a  thousand  ways, 
Place  mercy  central  in  the  maze  !  " 

My  friends  may  make  themselves  perfectly  easy  respect- 
ing my  temporal  circumstances ;    I  have  all  and  abound. 
12 


134  THE    DENOUEMEXT. 

The  Dublin  people  are  proverbial  for  their  hospitality  to 
strangers ;  but  I  can  say  of  them,  as  the  queen  of  Sheba 
said  of  the  wisdom  of  Solomon,    "Behold,  the  half  was  not 

told  me." 

**  **  **  ^«« 

Yesterday  was  a  gracious  day  to  my  soul  in  the  Abbey 
street  chapel.  The  interior  is  spacious  and  elegant,  has  a 
fine  organ,  and  the  congregation  is  second  to  none  I  have 
ever  seen,  either  in  respectability  or  intelligence.  My  morn- 
ing text  was  Deut.  viii.  2.  Many  acknowledged,  with  stream- 
ing eyes,  the  mercies  of  God,  and  the  designs  of  his  provi- 
dence. In  the  afternoon  fifty  persons,  who  had  been  con- 
verted lately  in  this  chapel,  came  forward  to  give  public 
thanks  to  God  for  his  pardoning  love.  At  night,  to  a  congre- 
gation of  not  less  than  two  thousand,  I  cried,  "  How  long 
halt  ye  between  two  opinions?"  &c.  1  Kings  xviii.  21.  It 
was  an  awful  time  ;  seventy  persons  came  forward  as  peni- 
tents, and  many  found  mercy. 

In  the  midst  of  these  successful  labors  Mr.  Caughey's 
mind  was  subjected  to  an  unusually  severe  temptation  from 
Satan.  He  viewed  this  assault  as  a  part  of  the  tactics  of 
the  Great  Enemy  of  all  good  to  hinder  the  revival  in  Dublin. 
He  therefore  met  the  adversary  with  boldness  ;  he  endured 
hardness  like  a  good  soldier  until  he  won  a  victory.  To  the 
editor,  these  spiritual  traits  are  among  the  most  interesting 
portions  of  his  letters.  They  illustrate  so  encouragingly 
the  sameness  of  ministerial  experience,  and  furnish  a  fine 
example  of  fidelity  and  endui-ance.  Who  can  behold  Mr. 
Caughey,  amidst  these  Satanic  floods,  rising  as  they  did  in 
furious  waves,  standing  firmly  on  the  "  Rock  of  ages," 
steadily  keeping  his  great  work  in  view,  and  laboring  with  a 
zeal  which  increased  with  the  magnitude  of  the  storm,  with- 
out being  stimulated  to  a  corresponding  boldness  ?     But  let 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  135 

US  listen  to  his  own  descriptions  of  liis  mental  state  under 
this  trial.     He  says  of  it:  — 

God  has  in  a  great  measure  silenced  the  enemy.  Satan 
found  it  of  no  use  ;  out  of  Dublin  I  would  not  go  while  God 
was  converting  souls.  He  pressed  me  very  sore,  but  this 
goaded  me  to  greater  ardor  in  the  cause  of  God.  The  more 
he  harassed  me  with  temptations,  the  more  I  was  enabled 
to  prevail  against  his  kingdom.  His  file  was  very  rough, 
but  by  it  my  soul  became  the  brighter,  and  obtained 
a  keener  edge  and  livelier  sensibilities.  His  fire  was 
very  intense,  trying  and  searching  the  inmost  of  the  soul. 
What  one  said  of  the  old  blacksmith,  my  poor  soul  could  say 
of  the  adversary,  "  Every  morning  he  rises  fresh  to  his 
hammer  and  his  anvil ;"  but  this  only  nerved  me  for  ''my 
turn,"  and  made  me  more  resolute  in  attempting  to  over- 
throw his  strongholds.  Oh,  help  me  to  praise  the  Lord ! 
for  he  could  say  to  angels,  and  men,  and  devils,  when  point- 
ing to  Dublin,  "  Is  not  my  word  like  as  a  fire,  and  hke  a 
hammer  that  breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces  ?  "  Jer.  xxiii.  29. 

I  am  far  mistaken  if  the  devil  has  not  considered  Dublin 
the  pass  to  the  three  kingdoms ;  and,  perhaps,  of  as  much 
importance  to  his  kingdom,  as  Thermopylae  was  to  the  Gre- 
cians.    How  then  could  I  expect  him  to 

"  Give  quiet  pass 
Through  his  dominions  for  this  enterprize  ?" 

Glory  be  to  God !  we  have  got  possession  of  the  pass.  God 
has  fought  for  us,  and  the  slain  of  the  Lord  are  many.  The 
revival  is  going  on  vnth  power,  but  I  cannot  tell  you  the  ex- 
act number  converted  to  God  since  the  date  of  my  last  letter  to 
you ;  but  I  think  not  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty.  I  am 
sorry  to  inform  you  that  the  work  of  entire  sanctification  ad- 
vances very  slowly.     Many  seem  to  be  earnestly  seeking  pu- 


136  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

ritj  of  heart,  but  I  do  not  remember  that  any  person  has,  as 
yet,  distinctly  professed  its  attainment  during  the  revival.  I 
greatly  fear  there  must  be  something  grievously  deficient  in 
my  method  of  preachmg  it,  else  God  would  surely  raise  up 
his  witnesses  for  this  doctrine  as  well  as  for  that  of  justi- 
fication. The  one  is  as  much  a  New  Testament  privilege  as 
the  other. 

Yesterday,  (Sabbath,)  after  taking  breakfast  with  the 
"  Strangers'  Friend  Society,"  I  walked  over  to  the  Hend- 
rick  street  chapel  to  preach.  On  my  arrival,  every  counte- 
nance wore  the  hues  of  sorrow.  One  of  their  old  leaders, 
Mr.  William  Haughton,  had  just  departed  for  heaven,  and 
their  hearts  were  oppressed  with  grief.  I  could  not  well 
chide  them,  as  his  gain  was  indeed  a  loss  to  them,  which,  in 
the  first  shock  of  the  news,  they  knew  not  how  to  sustain. 
All  seemed  to  feel  that  his  place  could  never  be  supplied. 
During  thirty  years  he  had  been  a  father  to  that  society. 
The  excitement  was  increased  by  the  presence  of  the  mem- 
bers of  his  six  classes,  mingling  their  tears  and  sighs  together, 
as  children  for  the  death  of  a  most  beloved  parent. 

Instead  of  taking  the  subject  I  had  intended,!  chose  Eev. 
vi.  13 — 17  ;  and  never,  never  have  I  seen  such  a  weeping 
congregation.  Their  tears  and  sobs  would  have  softened  a 
heart  of  stone.  Suddenly,  like  a  burst  of  sunshine  on  a 
summer's  afternoon,  when  the  rains  have  ceased,  an  influ- 
ence, evidently  from  God,  came  down  upon  the  people.  The 
Lord  seemed  to  open  heaven  to  the  view  of  his  saints ;  at 
least,  the  veil  became  so  transparent  that  hundreds  felt, 
during  thirty  or  forty  minutes,  as  if  they  were  surrounded 
with  the  glories  of  the  celestial  world.  The  church  militant 
and  the  church  triumphant  appeared  to  unite  in  a  manner  it 
is  not  possible  to  describe.  I  cannot,  I  dare  not  attempt  it, 
not  even  the  language  given  me  in  that  hour.     Oh,  what 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  137 

views  of  God  and  heaven  filled  mj  amazed  soul !  It  was 
what  one  has  elsewhere  called,  "  A  vision  of  glory;"  such 
as,  perhaps,  none  of  us  ever  had  before,  nor  may  ever  have 
again,  till  "  mortality  is  swallowed  up  of  life." 

The  service  was  closed,  and  every  countenance  wore  a 
calm,  heavenly  expression,  as  if  each  was  saying  in  his  or  her 
heart, — 

"  There  is  a  world  where  winter  comes  not, 

Wliere  a  farewell  enters  never, 
Where  no  clouds  the  atmosphere  blot, 

And,  no  changes  om*  friendship  sever. 
That  world  is  the  houie  of  the  soul, 
And  Oh  !  how  swiftly  it  flies  to  the  goal. 

There  sorrow's  note  is  never  heard, 

No  storm  a  rose-leaf  ever  stin-ed, 
But  strains  on  liarps  of  heavenly  sound, 
And  songs  ecstatic  breathe  around.'* 

The  last  Sabbath  night  this  holy  man  spent  upon  earth 
was  in  Abbey  street  chapel.  The  crowd  was  great,  and  he 
stood  with  his  eyes  fixed  upon  me  during  the  whole  sermon. 
At  the  close  of  the  prayer  meeting  he  stood  upon  a  bench, 
and  gave  the  people  his  last  exhortation,  and  sung  that  verse, 
which  I  behave  was  his  favorite, — 

"  When  Jesus  makes  my  heart  his  home, 

My  sin  shall  all  depart  ; 
And,  lo !  he  saith,  I  quickly  come, 
To  fill  and  rule  thy  heart." 

Next  Sabbath  night,  about  that  time,  he  was  in  the  "  house 
not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens."  I  visited 
him  a  day  or  two  before  he  died.  On  approaching  his  bed, 
such  an  influence  came  upon  me  as  melted  me  into  tears  in  a 
moment.  I  felt  God  was  there,  and  that  a  warrior  of  our 
Israel  had  entered  upon  his  last  battle  -with  the  enemy.  He 
reached  out  his  hand  and  said,  "  Tell  the  congregation  the 
following  is  my  experience  :  — 
12* 


138  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

** '  He  breaks  the  power  of  cancelled  sin, 
He  sets  the  prisoner  free  ; 
His  blood  can  make  the  foulest  clean, 
His  blood  availed  for  me.'  " 

One  day,  wlien  sitting  together  in  his  Httle  parlor,  a  few 
weeks  before  he  was  taken  with  his  last  sickness,  he  said  to 
me,  "  I  have  often  stood  upon  yonder  bridge,  and  looked  at  the 
figure  of  Hope,  on  the  dome  of  the  Custom  House,  leaning  upon 
her  anchor,  with  her  face  turned  towards  the  troubled  sea,  as 
if  in  anxious  but  confident  expectation  of  the  fingering  ship ; 
soon  after,  I  have  seen  the  weather-beaten  vessel  entering  the 
harbor,  badly  shattered  by  the  storm,  rigging  disordered,  and 
sails  riven  into  shreds ;  and  it  is  thus,  I  have  thought,  that 
hope  cheers  the  soul  on  the  stormy  ocean  of  life,  and  calmly 
encourages  the  billow-tossed  Christian  to  hasten  into  the 
harbor  of  glory ;  when,  lo  !  the  weather-beaten  servant  of 
God,  shattered  by  time  and  storms,  dashes  into  the  port, 
where  hope  had  so  long  had  her  anchor  cast  within  the  vail." 
He  little  thought  he  was  just  then  sailing  so  near  the  coast  of 
heaven,  nor  that  he  should  so  suddenly  dart  into  the  harbor 
of  eternal  rest.  Mr.  Haughton  also  informed  me,  that  in 
the  little  parlor  alluded  to,  Mr.  Wesley  had  often  taken 
breakfast  with  the  Dublin  preachers ;  and  that,  when  a  boy, 
in  the  same  place,  he  had  often  swung  upon  the  knees  of  that 
venerable  saint. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  my  American  friends  to  know  that 
this  is  the  famous  little  room  where  the  Rev.  John  Summer- 
field  was  converted  to  God.  The  spot  where  he  obtained 
remission  of  sins,  and  the  hearth-stone  upon  which  he  stood, 
when  giving  his  first  exhortation,  were  pointed  out  to  me  by 
Mrs.  Haughton,  who  was  one  of  the  praying  company  to 
whom  the  address  was  delivered.  Ah !  I  thought,  in  this 
humble  room  arose  that  "  burning  and  shining  light,"  who 


THE  DENOUEMENT  139 

became  the  wonder  of  America,  the  glory  of  Christ,  and 
one  of  the  brightest  ornaments  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Hundreds  of  thousands  were  enraptured  by  his 
eloquence  ;  and  many,  very  many,  were  the  seals  of  his 
ministry. 

I  had  an  awful  time  the  other  night  in  one  of  the  chapels, 
on  this  text.  Rev.  xiv.  9  — 11,  and,  just  as  we  were  singing 
that  verse, — 

"  Ye  virgin  souls  arise, 
*  «  • 

Oil  in  your  vessels  take," — 

the  whole  of  the  lights  went  out,  with  the  exception  of  a 
couple  of  candles  on  the  side  of  the  pulpit.  Twelve  brilliant 
gas  lights  extinguished  unaccountably  in  a  moment  !  The 
eflfect  was  really  awful,  as  the  minds  of  sinners  were  predis- 
posed to  strong  sensations  by  the  text,  sermon,  and  hymn. 
Many  trembled,  but  there  was  no  confusion.  Afterwards 
nine  or  ten  sinners  were  converted  to  God  in  the  prayer 
meeting. 

A  very  remarkable  conversion,  in  answer  to  prayer,  has 
lately  taken  place,  which  I  know  will  interest  you.  A 
young  lady,  a  few  weeks  since,  arrived  in  this  city  from  Eng- 
land, on  a  visit  to  her  friends.  Shortly  after  she  was  in- 
duced to  attend  the  services ;  the  word  reached  her  heart, 
and,  after  a  severe  and  deep  repentance,  God  spoke  peace  to 
her  soul.  In  the  simplicity  of  her  heart  she  wrote  an  ac- 
count of  her  conversion  to  her  mother,  in  Liverpool,  and 
desired  liberty  to  unite  herself  with  the  Methodist  church, 
little  suspecting  the  natural  enmity  of  the  unrenewed  heart. 
Her  mother,  a  high-spirited,  unconverted  woman,  felt  an 
instant  indignation  against  her  daughter ;  wrote  to  her  im- 
mediately, ridiculed  the  revival,  forbade  her  joining  the 
Methodists,  reproached  her  for  her  weakness  of  mmd,  and 


140  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

ordered  her  home.  The  young  lady,  alanned  at  the  tone  of 
the  letter,  sent  a  note  to  the  pulpit,  stating  the  case  in  a  deli- 
cate way,  and  requesting  my  prayers,  and  those  of  the  con- 
gregation, for  the  conversion  of  her  mother.  We  fell  down 
before  God  ;  faithful  and  united  prayer  was  offered,  in  which, 
I  believe,  every  pious  soul  joined. 

A  few  days  after,  a  letter  arrived  from  Liverpool,  giving 
an  account  of  the  mother's  conversion.  On  the  night  "  the 
prayer  of  faith"  was  offered  to  God,  she  was  awakened  to 
see  herself  a  sinner  on  the  brink  of  hell.  "  During  the 
night,"  said  she,  "  I  felt  as  if  I  was  in  a  furnace  of  fire." 
The  next  morning  God  converted  her  soul.  In  that  letter 
she  humbly  asked  forgiveness  of  her  daughter,  and  the  same 
from  me,  although  she  had  never  seen  me  ;  but  it  was  on  ac- 
count of  what  she  had  said  against  the  revival ;  and  concluded 
by  giving  her  liberty  to  join  the  Methodists  as  soon  as  she 
pleased,  as  she  intended  to  do  the  same  herself. 

On  the  17th  of  last  month,  (November,  1841,)  I  visited, 
with  a  few  friends  =,  the  castle  of  Dublin.  It  happened  to 
be  the  day  of  the  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland's  levee.  It 
was  held  at  the  Castle.  We  had  to  make  our  way  through 
two  companies  of  sentinels  ;  and,  after  much  difficulty,  were 
permitted  to  stand  in  the  hall  of  the  grand  entrance,  where 
we  had  a  fine  view  of  the  visiters.  About  tliirteen  hundred 
of  the  aristocracy  of  Ireland  paid  their  respects  to  his  lord- 
ship. They  were  all  arrayed  in  rich  court  dresses,  distinc- 
tive of  their  rank  and  station ;  whether  officers  of  state, 
bishops,  archbishops,  or  inferior  clergy  ;  private  gentlemen, 
officers  of  the  army,  members  of  the  city  university,  or  of 
other  institutions  of  the  country.  The  scene  was  very  ani- 
mated and  imposing.  The  band  of  the  Royal  Hussars  was 
stationed  in  the  Upper  Castle  Yard,  and 

*'  Discoursed  sweet  music." 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  141 

A  party  of  the  45tli  regiment  lined  the  hall,  and  a  variety  of 
inferior  officers  were  stationed  at  the  different  entrances. 
We  waited,  with  some  interest,  to  see  the  newly-elected  Lord 
Mayor  of  Dubhn,  the  celebrated  Daniel  O'Connell.  His 
carriage  drove  up,  tastefully  ornamented  with  green  and 
yellow.  He  ascended  the  grand  stairway,  followed  by  the 
new  members  of  the  Corporation,  dressed  in  scarlet  cloaks. 
"We  had  a  good  view  of  O'Connell,  as  he  stood  upon  one  of 
the  landings,  waiting  his  turn  to  be  presented.  He  was 
dressed  in  liis  civic  robe,  in  his  hand  the  wand  of  office,  and 
on  his  left  stood  the  bearer  of  the  mace.  Health,  happiness, 
good  humor,  and  independence,  appeared  as  if  holding  a 
levee  upon  what  a  poet  calls  "  the  temper  of  his  face."  He 
seemed  well  pleased  with  himself,  and  perfectly  so  mth  every 
body  and  every  thing  around  him. 

After  leavmg  the  hall  we  got  entangled  in  a  net,  which 
cost  us  much  trouble  before  we  were  liberated.  JSTo  sooner 
had  we  passed  the  castle  gate  than  we  were  inclosed  in  the 
niidst  of  thousands  ;  many  of  them  the  lowest  of  human 
society.  Nothing  was  heard  but  the  cheering  and  shouting 
of  the  multitude,  cracking  of  whips,  prancmg  of  horses, 
bawhng  of  coachmen,  and  jambing  and  crashing  of  carriages  ; 
some  of  them  two  or  three  deep,  struggling  which  should 
first  enter  the  gate.  The  scene  was  frightful.  It  was  often 
doubtful  whether  we  should  be  crushed  by  a  coach  and 
horses,  or  trampled  down  by  the  mob.  To  retreat,  was  im- 
possible ;  to  go  forward,  equally  so.  At  last  a  providential 
way  opened  and  we  escaped.  "When  walking  home  we  found 
the  line  of  coaches  yet  to  enter,  a  mile  in  length. 

*  *  *  *  « 

The  "Wesleyan  Methodists,  have  three  very  respectable 
chapels  in  DubUn,  and  several  smaller  ones  in  the  vicinity ; 
but,  as  there  is  nothing  particularly  interesting  in  their  archi- 


142  THE  DENOUEMENT. 

tecture,  I  shall  forbear  description.  The  Methodists  in  this 
country  seem  more  anxious  to  provide  accommodations  for 
the  greatest  possible  number  of  hearers,  than  to  expend  their 
money  on  costly  decorations,  which  sometimes  leave  the  mul- 
titude unprovided  for.  The  chapel  in  Whitefriar  street 
should  not,  however,  pass  unnoticed.  It  was  erected  by 
Mr.  Wesley,  ten  or  twelve  years  after  the  first  Methodist 
society  was  formed,  and  a  venerable  building  it  is  ;  quite  in 
the  old  style,  very  plain,  and  without  any  communion  place. 
The  lobby  overhead  is  furnished  on  either  side  with  a  suite 
of  convenient  rooms,  in  one  of  which  died  that  eminent  min- 
ister of  Jesus  Christ,  Thomas  Walsh.  After  a  long  and 
severe  conflict  with  the  powers  of  darkness,  while  a  few  of 
his  brethren  were  praying  for  him  in  an  adjoining  room,  he 
burst  into  a  transport  of  joy,  exclaiming,  "He  is  come  ! 
He  is  come  !  My  Beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his,  his  for 
ever !  "  and  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

Last  night  I  assisted  Mr.  Waugh  in  holding  what  I  think 
he  called  the  ninetieth  watch-night  meeting  held  in  this 
chapel.  My  sensations  were  peculiarly  humbling,  when  re- 
flecting, "  I  am  now  standing  in  a  pulpit,  once  so  efiectually 
occupied  by  the  Wesleys,  and  the  seraphic  Fletcher."  The 
Lord  has  lately  honored  this  consecrated  place  by  the  con- 
conversion  of  many  sinners.     ***** 

On  the  night  of  Thursday,  the  6th  of  January,  1842,  I 
preached  my  last  sermon  in  Abbey  street  chapel.  That 
large  house  was  crowded  in  every  part.  I  had  taken  my 
farewell  at  two  of  the  other  chapels,  and  aSecting  seasons 
they  were,  but  the  scene  at  Abbey  street  surpassed  any  thing 
of  the  kind  I  had  ever  beheld.  After  sermon,  about  thirteen 
hundred  persons  remained  to  bid  me  farewell,  and  they  in- 
timated most  significantly,  that  out  of  the  house  they  would 
not  go  until  they  had  shaken  hands  with  me.     I  bore  up  un- 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  148 

der  the  excitement  till  I  thus  parted  with  two  hundred  of 
them,  chiefly  young  converts ;  but  their  tears  and  cries  so 
affected  me,  that  I  could  not  bear  it,  and  excused  myself 
from  proceeding,  saying,  I  would  imitate  the  converted  Indian 
chief,  *'  Shake  hands  with  them  in  my  heart,"  by  singing, 

"  Amen,  Amen,  my  soul  replies, 
I'm  bound  to  meet  you  in  the  skies, 

And  claim  my  mansion  there ; 
Now,  here's  my  heart,  and  here  my  hand, 
To  meet  you  in  that  heavenlj-  land. 

Where  we  shall  part  no  more." 

When  this  was  over,  matters  became  worse  and  worse  ;  I  was 
hemmed  in  on  every  side.  At  last  two  or  three  brethren, 
in  mercy,  imdertook  to  set  me  free,  and  they  had  a  task. 
With  much  trouble  they  opened  a  small  path,  and  through  a 
forest  of  hands,  I  gained  the  street ;  when,  lo !  it  was  lined 
to  my  home,  at  Mr.  M'Comas's.  The  door  was  surrounded 
with  people,  but  some  friends  succeeded  in  pulhng  me  into 
the  house ;  but,  even  here,  there  was  Httle  rehef,  as  many 
were  inside.  The  sorrowful  hearts  of  the  people  at  my  de- 
parture, and  a  deep  sense  of  my  own  unworthiness  and  utter 
insignificancy,  crushed  my  spirit  to  the  very  dust.  Never, 
in  all  my  travels,  have  I  met  with  a  people  equal  to  those 
of  Dubhn.  Their  affection  knew  no  bounds :  I  cannot  tell 
you  all,  my  dear  sister  ;  but  their  many  acts  of  kindness  and 
generous  friendship  are  too  deeply  engraven  upon  the  heart 
of  your  unworthy  brother  ever  to  be  obhterated. 

I  preached  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  sermons  in  Dub- 
hn, and  about  seven  hundred  persons  professed  to  have  re- 
ceived pardoning  mercy.  !Many  of  these  were  members  of 
society  who  had  never  before  obtained  salvation.  Some  were 
backshders.  ~  Several  from  other  churches,  but  a  large  pro- 
portion were  from  the  world. 


144  THE   DENOUEMENT. 

To  give  the  reader  a  just  conception  of  the  genuineness  of 
these  numerous  conversions,  we  insert  a  letter  written  by 
Richard  Craig,  Esq.,  of  Dubhn,  in  March,  1847.  This  letter 
will  show  how  sacred  and  how  lasting  was  the  influence  com- 
municated from  God  through  Mr.  Caughey's  labors  in  that 
city :  it  also  presents  his  labors  there  in  a  deeply  interesting 
point  of  view : — 

"Dublin,  March  9th,  1847. 

"  Dear  Sir, — After  the  Conference  of  1841,  the  Society 
connected  with  Henderick  street  Chapel  was  looking  forward, 
with  no  small  degree  of  anxiety  to  the  expected  ministrations 
of  the  Rev.  Robinson  Scott,  who  had  been  appointed  to  this 
city,  and  whose  reported  love  for  revivals  had  made  his  ap- 
pointment an  exceedingly  popular  one.  On  Sunday,  8th 
August,  the  day  on  which  Mr.  Scott  was  expected  to  preach 
for  the  first  time  in  that  chapel,  Mr.  Caughey  delivered  his 
first  message  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  His  method  of 
reading  the  Psalms  and  Lessons  for  the  day,  and  his  passing 
remarks,  seemed  to  make  a  most  favorable  impression  on  the 
congregation  :  and  he  preached  a  sermon,  in  his  own  pecu- 
liarly tender,  heart-searching,  and  affecting  manner  which 
will  not  soon  be  forgotten.  Its  effect  was  astonishing.  The 
people  were  delighted  with  their  new  preacher ;  but  behold ! 
on  inquiry,  it  was  discovered  not  to  be  Mr.  Scott,  but  "  a 
stranger  from  America."  In  less  time  than  I  have  been 
writing,  it  was  decided  that  another  brother  (Fielding)  and 
myself,  should  hasten  after,  and  endeavor  to  prevail  on  him 
to  preach  again.         #  *  *  *  * 

"  So  much  for  his  first  sermon.  His  last  in  Dublin  was 
preached  in  Abby  street  Chapel  on  a  week  evening.  I  had 
frequently  gone  there  to  hear  other  great  men  preach  oc-r 
casional  sermons  on  the  Sabbath,  but  never  before  did  I  see 


THE   DENOUEMENT.  145 

that  large  chapel,  the  most  spacious  we  had  in  the  city,  so 
densely  crowded :  such  a  mass  of  human  beings  in  such  a 
space  I  had  never  before  seen.  Although  many  of  his  hear- 
ers, from  the  immense  pressure,  must  have  been  exceedingly 
uncomfortable,  his  sermon  was  heard  with  the  deepest 
attention.  Sorrow  "  that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more," 
seemed  to  be  depicted  on  almost  every  countenance.  At 
the  conclusion,  he  earnestly  requested  all  present,  but  es- 
pecially the  young  converts,  to  be  attentive  to  the  means  of 
grace,  more  especially  those  for  Christian  communion ;  and 
urged  upon  them  the  necessity  of  exercising  liberality  in  the 
the  cause  of  God.  He  then  spoke  of  the  kindly  bearing  of 
the  preachers  towards  him,  and  of  their  brotherly  love ;  and 
with  a  delicacy  of  feeling  which  did  him  honor,  he  expressed 
his  fears  that,  from  the  way  he  had  been  laboring  amongst 
them,  they  might  expect  too  much  from  their  ministers.  To 
guard  against  this  he  informed  them,  that  if  he  was  stationed 
among  them,  as  his  brethren  around  him  were,  it  would  be 
utterly  impossible  for  him  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  the  circuit, 
and  at  the  same  time  carry  on  the  meetings,  evening  after 
evening,  as  he  had  done.  He  then  bade  those  near  him  fare- 
well, and  with  great  difficulty  got  home. 

"  I  think  that  the  number  brought  to  God  during  his  min- 
istry in  Dublin  was  about  700,  nearly  half  of  whom  were 
from  the  world.  During  the  five  years  prior  to  his  visit,  the 
average  number  of  members  in  the  Dublin  Society  was  1267  ; 
and  the  average  annual  number  of  emigrations,  durmg  the 
same  period,  was  39.  During  the  five  years  which  have 
elapsed  since  Mr.  Caughey's  visit,  the  average  number  of 
members  has  been  1592,  and  of  emigrations,  52  annually  for 
four  years,  no  return  of  emigrations  having  been  made  for 
the  year  184(3.  This  shows  a  clear  average  increase  of  325, 
besides  making  up  the  deficiencies  caused  by  emigration, 
13 


146  THE  DENOUEMENT. 

rormerlj  the  society  was  only  able  to  pay  three  preachers  ; 
within  a  few  years  of  Mr.  Caughey's  visit,  by  much  exertion, 
the  expense  of  four  was  met ;  but  in  consequence  of  the 
blessing  of  the  Most  High  on  his  labors,  we  are  now  able, 
from  having  such  an  increase  of  members,  to  support  six. 
Thus,  even  in  a  financial  point  of  view,  his  services  in  Dub- 
lin were  invaluable,  and,  as  it  appears,  produced  lasting  good. 
The  amount  of  money  subscribed  to  some  of  the  most  im- 
portant funds  of  the  Society  has  also  increased  considerably, 
as  the  following  statement  shows  : — 

Average  of  five  years        Average  of  five  years 
prior  to  Mr.  subsequent  to  Mr. 

Caughey's  visit.  Caughey's  visit. 

Yearly  Collection  .  .  <£156     1  11  .£174  11  11 

Education  Fund  ....     48  16  0  55  11  0 

Chapel  Fund 58     0  2  64  13  10 

Missions 585     0  0  615  15  2 


846  18     1  910  11  11 

So  that  to  these  four  funds  there  has  been  a  gross  average 
aimual  increase  of  about  X63. 

"  Here,  then,  we  have  from  the  Minutes  of  Conference,  a 
demonstrative  proof,  whether  reference  be  made  to  the  eter- 
nal or  temporal  interests  of  the  society,  that  the  work  which 
was  wrought  through  Mr.  Caughey's  instrumentality,  was 
indeed  of  God,  and  not  the  effect  of  mere  animal  excitement 
or  fanaticism ;  and  the  results  have  been  such  as  I  am  able 
to  prove  are  unequalled  in  the  entire  history  of  Methodism 
in  Dublin. 

"  The  secret  of  Mr.  Caughey's  success  in  Dublin  was, 
that  he  always  acknowledged  the  necessity  of  the  Spirit's 
influence  to  make  his  ministrations  profitable  to  the  people, 


THE    DENOUEMENT.  147 

Hence  he  spent  many  hours  of  each  clay  on  his  knees,  with 
his  Bible  spread  open  before  him,  asking  wisdom  from  on 
high,  and  beseeching  a  blessing  from  God  on  the  preaching 
of^is  word.  This,  while  at  Mr.  Fielding's,  (and  I  believe 
Mr.  McComas's,)  was  his  almost  constant  employment  be- 
tween breakfast  and  dinner.  "Whenever  he  suffered  himself 
to  be  prevailed  upon  to  spend  an  evening  out,  he  usually 
retired  an  hour  before  the  commencement  of  the  evening's 
service,  in  order  again  to  cry  to  God  for  a  blessing  on  the 
people.  I  have,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  accompained  him 
from  my  own  or  from  a  friend's  house  to  the  house  of  God, 
and  during  the  whole  of  our  walk  he  scarcely  ever  exhanged 
a  word  Tvith  me,  —  seemingly  lost  in  contemplation  of  the 
importance  of  the  work  in  which  he  was  about  to  be  engaged. 
What  a  contrast  to  the  bearing  of  some  ministers  in  simi- 
lar circumstances.  He  showed  that  he  felt  it  to  be  his 
one  business  to  be  made  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners. 

"  At  a  tea-meeting  in  Henderick  street  Chapel,  which 
took  place  a  few  days  before  he  left  Dubhn,  Mr,  Waugh, 
the  Superintendent,  in  the  presence  of  the  preachers  and 
leaders,  and  on  behalf  of  the  Society,  returned  him  thanks  for 
his  labors  amongst  us  ;  and  promised  that,  as  far  as  in  him  lay, 
every  facility  should  be  afforded  Mr.  Caughey  for  his  visits  to 
the  different  Societies  in  this  land.  Such  a  statement,  from 
such  an  order-loving  man  as  Mr.  Waugh,  speaks  trumpet- 
tongued  as  to  the  liigh  opinion  he  then  entertained  of  his 
piety,  usefulness,  and  obedience.  I  have  no  reason  to  think 
that  his  opinion  has  undergone  the  slightest  change. 
"  I  am,  dear  Sir,  affectionately  yours, 

"R.  Craig." 


CHAPTER    XI. 

TEN  WEEKS  IN  LIMERICK. 

Among  the  many  evidences,  which  Mr.  Caughey's  move- 
ments furnish  to  demonstrate  the  reahtj  and  divinity  of  his 
mission  to  Europe,  is  the  facility  with  which  the  Providence 
of  God  opened  doors  of  access  for  him  to  the  people.  Con- 
sidering the  extraordinary  method  of  holding  protracted  pub- 
lic services  which  he  was  led  to  adopt,  it  is  surprising  that 
his  way  was  opened  without  any  direct  effort  of  his  own. 
Indeed,  nothing  is  more  apparent  than  that  Mr.  Caughey 
had  no  plan,  preconceived,  and  subsequently  carried  out  by 
persevering  labor.  He  acted  in  simple,  behoving  obedience 
to  the  call  of  God,  leaving  his  heavenly  director  to  prepare  a 
way  for  his  willing  feet.  How  he  should  move,  after  his 
arrival  in  Liverpool,  he  did  not  know ;  where  he  should  com- 
mence his  labors,  he  could  not  conceive.  But  he  stood  ready 
for  the  conflict  at  any  point.  This  was  precisely  the  attitude 
proper  to  his  views  and  situation.  And  how  naturally  he 
moved.  The  Conference  is  in  session  at  Manchester.  There, 
the  heart  of  the  great  Methodist  body  is  to  be  seen,  and 
there  he  modestly  appears.  An  invitation  to  Ireland  decides 
his  mind  to  visit  Dublin.  In  that  place,  an  invitation  to 
preach  brings  him  before  the  people.  God  owns  his  first 
sermon,  by  causing  it  to  produce  a  deep  impression  on  the 
leading  men  present,  that  the  stranger  is  sent  to  them  from 

148 


TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK.  149 

God.  They  in\dte  him  to  preach  again.  He  does  so,  and 
with  mighty  effect,  for  a  great  revival  commences  at  once. 
They  insist  on  his  stay.  He  remains,  until  an  army  of  souls 
is  raised  up.  His  fame  in  Dublin  procures  him  an  invitation 
to  Limerick,  and  thus  he  proceeds  from  place  to  place  bless- 
ing and  being  blessed.  "WTiat  stronger  demonstration,  than 
these  facts,  can  be  demanded  in  proof  of  the  genuineness  of 
his  astonishing  impression  ?  We  know  of  none.  But  let  us 
hear  his  somewhat  versatile  statements  concerning  the  ten 
weeks  he  spent  in  Limerick.     He  says :  — 

I  had  a  very  pleasant  ride,  though  rather  cold,  from  Dub- 
lin to  Limerick.  Our  route  lay  through  several  towns  and 
villages,  among  which  were  ^laryborough  and  Boscrea.  I 
had  a  glance  at  a  round  tower,  the  first  of  the  kind  I  had 
ever  seen.  I  am  agreeably  entertained  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Keys.  He  and  his  sister  are  very  inteUigent  persons,  ex- 
ceedingly kind,  and  deeply  devoted  to  God.  Several  pre- 
cious souls  have  been  converted  since  my  arrival. 

On  the  13th  inst.,  (January,  1842,)  I  received  the  fol- 
lowing letter  from  an  intelligent  and  excellent  brother  in 
Dubhn :  — 

"My   VERT   DEAR    SiR, 

"  On  last  Sabbath  I  was  informed  of  an  awful  circum- 
stance, which  occurred  on  the  Sabbath  evening  you  preached 
in  "Whitefriar  street,  from  this  text,  '  This  year  thou  shalt 
die.'  You  may  probably  recollect  that,  in  your  prayer,  you 
earnestly  besought  God  to  spare  that  man  for  three  weeks, 
whom  he  had  decided  on  calling  soon  into  eternity,  in  order 
that,  before  death,  he  might  seek  the  salvation  of  his  soul. 
On  that  night,  a  man  who  lived  in  the  neighborhood  had 
wandered  into  the  chapel,  was  deeply  affected  under  the 
13* 


150  TEN    WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

prayer,  and  went  home  convinced  of  sin.  For  years  he  had 
had  a  swelHng  upon  the  side  of  his  neck,  which,  however, 
gave  him  httle  if  any  annoyance.  On  the  next  day,  Mon- 
day, it  became  sore  and  inflamed,  and  continued  so  bad  that 
at  last  he  was  under  the  necessity  of  giving  up  work,  and 
taking  to  his  bed.  A  physician  was  called  in,  and,  on  ex- 
amining the  sore,  pronounced  it  a  cancer.  The  poor  man 
sank  speedily  under  it,  and  in  a  short  time  the  entire  inside 
of  his  throat  was  exposed.  He  continued,  during  all  his 
sufierings,  to  cry  for  mercy,  and  at  length  God  spoke  peace 
to  his  soul ;  and  exactly  in  three  weeks  from  that  Sabbath 
evening,  and  at  the  same  hour  in  which  you  had  been  en- 
gaged in  prayer,  he  exchanged  time  for  eternity,  with  a 
hope  blooming  with  immortahty.'* 

I  had  a  delightful  walk  this  afternoon,  along  the  bank  of  a 
branch  of  the  river  Shannon,  east  of  the  city.  My  promen- 
ade was  a  wide  embankment,  a  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  with 
water  on  both  sides.  My  soul  was  engaged  in  earnest  plead- 
ing with  God  for  an  outpouring  of  his  Holy  Spirit  on  Lime- 
rick. I  told  the  Lord,  with  deep  emotion  and  reverential 
awe,  that  if  he  had  called  me  from  America  to  preach  the 
gospel  in  these  kingdoms,  and  if  I  was  still  permitted  to  re- 
tain my  commission,  he  would  condescend  to  own  and  attend 
me  in  all  my  ministrations  of  his  truth.  I  then  drew  nearer 
to  God,  and  represented  the  smallness  of  my  congregations, 
and  the  comparative  want  of  success  which  had,  as  yet, 
attended  my  ministry  in  Limerick.  0,  my  dear  sister,  God 
came  near  to  my  soul ;  I  felt  great  sweetness,  and  a  strong 
assurance  that  God  would  bring  out  the  people,  and  awaken 
and  convert  many  sinners,  before  he  would  call  me  out  of 
this  city.  The  day  before  yesterday  we  were  visited  with  a 
most  terrific  hurricane.     Several  vessels  in  the  harbor  were 


TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK.  151 

much  injured.  The  roofs  of  many  houses  were  seriously 
damaged  ;  one  house  was  demohshed,  and  two  or  three  lives 
lost.  The  beautiful  stone  bridge  across  the  Shannon  was 
greatly  injured,  by  vessels  which  had  broken  loose  from  their 
moorings,  and  drifted  against  it.  Two  ships  were  upset 
below  the  bridge.  The  scene  was  awful.  We  are  expecting 
sad  tidings  from  the  coast.  Last  night  I  improved  the  dread- 
ful visitation  from  that  passage,  1  Kings  xix.  11 — 13. 

Limerick  has  more  than  once  been  smitten  by  the  rod  of 
God's  providence.  A  short  time  since,  I  was  taking  tea 
with  one  of  our  most  influential  friends  here.  In  the  course 
of  our  conversation,  he  related  an  awful  event  which  hap- 
pened a  few  years  ago,  by  a  terrible  explosion  of  gunpowder. 
A  number  of  houses  were  blown  to  atoms,  and  eighteen  or 
twenty  persons  killed.  His  house  stood  next  to  one  that  was 
thrown  down,  and  was  badly  shattered.  He  pointed  to  the 
wall  of  the  room  in  which  we  were  sitting,  and  said  the  shock 
dashed  it  in  nearly  a  foot,  but  it  sprang  back  to  its  place 
immediately.  He  and  his  family  had  a  most  miraculous 
escape.  The  house  was  filled  with  the  smoke  of  gunpowder, 
and  when  the  neighbors  gathered  around  his  door,  supposing 
they  were  all  killed,  they  made  their  appearance  as  monu- 
ments of  mercy,  uninjured,  but  covered  with  the  dust  of 
bricks  and  mortar.  I  was  amused  with  the  account  of  the 
old  family  clock,  which  stood  at  the  head  of  the  stairs  at  the 
time  of  the  explosion  ;  notwithstanding  the  wall  -^vas  torn  to 
pieces  close  by,  and  the  stairs  demolished,  the  old  time-piece 
kept  its  footing,  having  just  enough  left  to  stand  upon ;  and  a 
few  minutes  after  the  catastrophe,  struck  the  proper  hour, 
eleven  o'clock,  and  continued  its  motions  with  the  same  regu- 
larity as  if  nothing  had  happened.  And  thus,  I  thought, 
it  is  with  time ;  whatever  disasters  may  occur  beneath  the 
sun,  time  still  goes  on. 


152  TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

"  Who  shall  contend  with 
Time  ?    Unvanquished  time  ? 
The  Conqueror  of  Conquerors,  and  Lord 
Of  desolation." 

Since  the  sun  first 

"  Bui-st  into  birth, 
And  dashed  from*off  his  altitude  sublime, 
The  first  dread  ray  that  marked  commencing  time," 

it  has  never  paused.  Although  our  globe  was  once  nearly 
depopulated,  and  often  since  has  it  been  rent  and  torn  by 
earthquakes,  and  devastated  by  fire  and  storm ;  while  revo- 
lutions have  convulsed  the  nations  dwelhng  upon  its  surface, 
and  myriads  of  immortal  beings  have  been  incarcerated  in 
hell,  or  blessed  with  the  liberty  and  joys  of  an  eternal  heaven ; 
through  all  the  vicissitudes  to  which  our  planet  has  been  sub- 
ject. Time,  dread  Time,  has  never  for  a  moment  rested  his 
pinion  to  sigh  over  the  wreck  and  the  desolations  both  of  the 
works  and  the  hopes  of  man.  How  truly  sublime  is  the 
poet's  description :  — 

Remorseless  time  ; 
Fierce  spirit  of  the  glass  and  scythe,  what  power 
Can  stay  him  in  his  silent  course,  or  melt 
His  iron  heart  to  pity  ! 
On,  still  on  he  presses,  and  for  ever. 

The  proud  bird, 
The  Condor  of  the  Andes,  that  can  soar 
Through  heaven's  unfathomable  depth,  or  brave 
The  fury  of  the  northern  humcane, 
And  bathe  his  plumage  in  the  thunder's  home, 
Furls  his  broad  wing  at  night-fall,  and  sinks  down 
To  rest  upon  his  mountain  crag ; 

But  Time 
Knows  not  the  weight  of  sleep,  or  weariness  ; 
And  night's  deep  darkness  has  no  chains  to  bind 
His  rushing  pinion  ! 
On,  still  on  he  presses,  and  for  ever. 


TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK.  153 

I  had  a  refreshing  season  the  other  night,  while  preaching 
on  that  encouraging  text,  Luke  xv.  10,  "  Likewise,  I  say 
unto  you,  there  is  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God, 
over  one  sinner  that  repenteth."  "What  a  broad  and  glori- 
ous charter  is  this  for  revival  efforts.  Is  it  not  sufficient  to 
kindle  an  inextinguishable  flame  of  zeal  in  the  breast  of  a 
minister  of  Christ  ?  How  clearly  docs  it  reveal  the  intimate 
connection  existing  between  the  world  of  mind  in  heaven,  and 
the  world  of  mind  upon  earth.  Does  it  not  show  that  God 
has  linked  his  great  family,  above  and  below,  by  the  strong 
and  powerful  ties  of  brotherhood  ?  *  *  * 

The  Wesleyan  Methodists  in  this  country  have  a  beautiful 
hymn  m  their  collection,  which  I  do  not  recollect  to  have 
seen  in  our  American  hymn-book.  It  was  quite  new  to  me, 
and  has  become  a  favorite  ;  perhaps  it  may  gratify  you  and 
some  other  friends. 

Who  can  describe  the  joys  that  rise, 
Through  all  the  courts  of  Paradise, 
To  see  a  prodigal  return, 
To  see  an  heir  of  glory  bom  ? 

With  joy  the  Father  doth  approve 
The  fruit  of  his  eternal  love  ; 
The  Son  with  joy  looks  down,  and  sees 
The  purchase  of  his  agonies. 

The  Spirit  takes  delight  to  view 
The  contrite  soul  he  forms  anew  ; 
And  saints  and  angels  join  to  sing 
The  growing  empire  of  their  King. 

A  few  hours  ago,  a  beautiful  flag  was  seen  waving  from  a 
neighboring  flag-staff;  and,  upon  inquiry,  it  was  found  that 
the  wife  and  servant  of  a  pious  captain,  whose  ship  is  in  port, 
had  been  converted  to  God.  The  noble-hearted  son  of  the 
ocean  was  so  full  of  joy,  that  he  commemorated  the  glorious 


154  TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

event  before  heaven,  and  earth,  and  hell,  by  thus  hoisting 
his  ship's  colors,  "  That  it  might  announce  victory ^^^  to  use 
his  OAvn  language,  "  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,"  as 
it  waved  in  the  morning  breezes. 

The  Lord  is  reviving  his  work  in  Limerick  by  converting 
souls  daily.  The  meetings  are  characterized  with  much 
solemnity,  sometimes  the  stillness  is  oppressive.  I  often  feel 
afraid  it  is  the  result  of  lukewarmness  or  stupidity ;  but,  on 
going  from  seat  to  seat,  and  finding  the  people  universally  on 
their  knees,  pleading  with  God  for  mercy,  or  for  a  larger 
outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  return,  very  often,  ashamed 
of  my  suspicions. 

The  following  case  is  an  exception ;  but  the  results  were 
so  glorious  we  could  not  regret  the  circumstance  :  A  woman, 
whose  husband  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  was  induced  to  attend 
the  services.  God  powerfully  awakened  her  to  a  sense  of 
her  wretched  condition  as  a  sinner;  she  came  again  and 
again ;  at  last  her  distress  became  so  great  that  she  began 
to  agonize  for  salvation,  when  a  strange  scene  ensued.  She 
sprang  upon  her  feet,  began  to  jump  up  and  down,  howhng 
in  a  most  horrible  manner ;  her  head  at  the  same  time  fl}dng 
from  side  to  side,  as  if  it  would  leave  her  body.  Some  fled 
in  horror  ;  others  fainted  ;  many  stood  in  solemn  awe  before 
God.  It  was  a  terrible  conflict.  I  had  seen  such  things 
before,  but  the  dear  people  were  appalled.  It  seemed  as  if 
two  contending  powers  were  rending  her  in  pieces.  I  be- 
lieve the  devil  was  then  making  his  last  efibrt  to  keep  pos- 
session of  her  soul ;  nor  can  I  doubt  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
was  then  in  the  act  of  casting  him  out.  The  devil  "  rent 
her  sore  "  and  departed.  Mark  ix.  26.  I  saw  her  in  the 
congregation  a  few  nights  afterwards,  "  Clothed,  and  in  her 
right  mind,"  as  peaceful  as  a  lamb,  and  happy  in  God. 

We  are  now  distributing  the  following  circular :  — 


TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK.  155 

TO  THAT  MAN  WHO  FEARS  GOD  IN  THE  CITY 
OF  LIMERICK. 

My  dear  Friend  and  Brother, 

You  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  a  revelation 
of  the  will  of  the  Most  High  to  man.  AVhen  you  look  into 
that  holy  book,  when  you  read  its  sacred  pages,  when  your 
heart  is  deeply  impressed  with  its  solemn  tniths  ;  and  when 
you  compare  the  general  conduct  and  acknowledged  experi- 
ence of  multitudes  around  you  with  that  book,  and  with  the 
gospel  you  hear  preached  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath,  can  you 
for  a  moment  doubt  the  jeopardy  to  which  their  poor  souls 
are  every  hour  exposed  ?  With  this  book  in  your  hand,  you 
have  a  right  to  make  an  estimate,  not  only  of  your  own  pros- 
pects for  eternity,  but  also  of  the  eternal  prospects  of  those 
around  you. 

You  tmist  do  this  in  order  to  feel  for  your  own  soul,  and 
for  the  souls  of  your  fellow-men.  How  can  your  heart  bleed 
for  poor  impenitent  sinners  ?  How  can  you  weep  and  cry  to 
God  for  their  salvation  until  you  thus  realize  their  dreadful 
condition  ? 

This  language  is  not  new  to  you ;  your  Christian  heart  has 
often  sighed  over  the  abominations  practiced  around  you ; 
you  have  often  trembled  for  the  eternal  ruin  you  have  seen 
a  httle  ahead  of  the  giddy  throng ;  and  as  one  and  another 
of  them  have  been  cut  down  by  the  justice  of  God,  your  soul 
has  been  troubled  within  you,  and  your  cry  has  been,  "  0 
Lord,  revive  thy  work  ;"  and  you  have  long  expected  that 
God  would  defend  his  own  cause  in  Limerick,  and  that  he 
would  raise  up  many  witnesses  to  that  great  truth,  "  Jesus 
Christ  hath  power  upon  earth  to  forgive  sins." 

Long  have  you  waited  for  an  outpouring  of  his  Holy 
Spirit.  I  address  you  as  a  friend  of  God  ;  as  one  who  fears 
his  holy  name.     Will  you  recognize  that  revival  of  the  work 


156  TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

of  God  for  wliich  you  have  so  long  sighed  and  prayed,  and 
for  which  you  have  been  so  long  in  expectation  ?  But  will 
you  recognize  it  among  a  people  with  whom  you  are  not  in 
the  habit  of  worshipping  God ;  perhaps  a  people  against 
whom  you  have  been  prejudiced  in  past  years  ?  If  so,  we 
can  assure  you,  brother,  the  revival  of  God's  work  has  begun. 
A  few  souls  have  lately  experienced  the  great  truth  referred 
to  above,  and  are  now  rejoicing  in  the  salvation  of  God, 
experimentally  felt. 

In  the  Wesley  chapel,  George  street,  a  few  of  God's 
people  have  resolved  to  follow  the  directions  given  in  Isaiah 
Ixii.  6,  7  :  "I  have  set  watchmen  upon  thy  walls,  0  Jerusa- 
lem, which  shall  never  hold  their  peace  day  nor  night :  ye 
that  make  mention  of  the  Lord  keep  not  silence  ;  and  give 
him  no  rest  till  he  establish,  and  till  he  make  Jerusalem  a 
praise  in  the  earth  ;"  and  among  them  are  a  few  whose  lan- 
guage is,  "A  dispensation  of  the  gospel  is  committed  unto 
me,  and  woe  is  unto  me  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel ;"  and 
the  cry  of  their  heart  is,  as  recorded  in  the  first  verse  of  that 
same  chapter  of  Isaiah,  "  For  Zion's  sake  will  I  not  hold  my 
peace,  and  for  Jerusalem's  sake  I  will  not  rest,  until  the 
righteousness  thereof  go  forth  as  brightness,  and  the  salva^ 
tion  thereof  as  a  lamp  that  burneth ;  and  they  are  resolved 
to  make  full  proof  of  their  ministry  by  wielding,  to  the  very 
utmost  of  their  strength,  those  great  and  tremendous  truths 
of  God  which  are  believed  by  Christians  of  different  denomi- 
nations. Among  those  who  are  thus  resolved  to  do  all  they 
can  to  bring  sinners  home  to  God,  is  the  writer  of  this 
paper. 

When  in  North  America,  surrounded  by  the  happy  people 
of  his  own  charge,  as  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  that  country,  he  received  an  impression  which  he 
believed  then,  and  does  yet  believe,  came  from  God,  that  it 


TEN    WEEKS   IN   LLMERICK.  157 

was  his  duty  to  take  a  tour  through  these  kingdoms  and  call 
sinners  to  repentance  ;  and,  after  fulfiUing  his  mission,  return 
to  America  and  re-enter  upon  his  regular  work.  After  hav- 
ing obtained  leave  of  absence  from  the  authorities  of  that 
church,  and  being  duly  recommended  to  the  confidence  of 
his  brethren  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  by  his  Bishop  and 
Conference,  he  has  come  as  far  as  Limerick,  preaching  the 
gospel  of  the  Son  of  God.  Will  you,  my  dear  friend,  help 
us  in  this  work  by  your  prayers,  presence,  and  influence  ? 
May  be  God  will  at  this  time  give  a  general  re\Tival  of  true 
religion  in  this  city.  Perhaps  your  own  soul  is  far  from 
being  happy  in  the  love  of  God.  That  with  all  your  good- 
will to  the  religion  of  the  Saviour,  you  yourself  have  never 
been  converted.  That  you  can  neither  tell  the  time,  nor 
place,  nor  circumstances  of  your  having  passed  from  death 
unto  life  ;  so  that  our  Lord's  discourse  to  Nicodemus,  John 
iii.,  on  the  subject  of  the  "  new  birth,"  is  as  great  a  mystery 
to  your  unhappy  soul  as  it  was  to  the  Jewish  ruler.  Although 
you  do  know  what  "  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear " 
meaneth,  yet  Romans  viii.  16,  is  yet  to  your  heart  an  unex- 
plained mystery. 

Look  up  to  God,  0  thou  who  art  waiting  for  the  "  conso- 
lation of  Israel."  "  The  time  to  favor  Zion  is  come  ;"  and 
the  time  to  favor  thy  poor  soul  is  come  also.  "  The  Lord, 
whom  thou  seekest,  shall  suddenly  come  to  his  temple." 

Perhaps  there  may  stand  by  your  side,  a  poor,  wicked, 
wretched  sinner,  over  whose  head  the  sword  of  eternal  jus- 
tice has  long  been  suspended.  Let  me  speak  a  word  to  him. 
Ah!  poor  sinner!  thou  unhappy  wanderer  from  God,  and 
from  the  path  to  heaven,  what  a  mercy  thou  art  not  in  hell ! 
God  has  spared  thee  for  a  number  of  years,  though 

"  Thou  hast  long  withstood  his  grace, 
Long  provoked  him  to  his  face." 

14 


158  TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

Thou  hast  long  been  a  transgressor  against  God,  and  an 
enemy  to  thine  own  soul.  0,  sin  no  more  !  Turn,  man, 
woman,  turn !  0,  turn  to  God  before  he  involve  thy  poor 
soul  among  the  wretched  and  hopeless  outcasts  of  a  miser- 
able eternity !  May  the  Holy  Spirit  help  you,  through 
Jesus  Christ !     Amen. 

James  Caughey. 
Weslei/  Chapely  Limerick, 
Jan.  Uth,  1842. 


Hundreds  of  the  above  are  already  in  circulation.  I  trust 
the  effects  will  be  good. 

The  next  paragraphs,  which  treat  of  the  history  of  Lune- 
rick,  although  a  digression  from  the  main  topic  of  the  work, 
are  inserted  both  on  account  of  their  intrinsic  excellence,  and 
as  a  specimen  of  Mr.  Caughey's  descriptive  powers.  They 
will  be  both  novel  and  interesting  to  the  intelHgent  reader : 

Limerick  is  seated  on  the  noble  river  Shannon,  about  sixty 
miles  from  the  ocean  and  ninety-four  from  Dublin.  The 
river  is  navigable  for  ships  of  a  large  size  to  the  city  wharves. 
Situated  in  the  heart  of  a  rich  and  fertile  country,  it  is  a 
place  of  considerable  commerce.  The  city  annals  are  full  of 
stirring  incident.  Some  have  supposed  its  foundations  were 
laid  before  the  birth  of  Christ.  Ptolemy  gave  it  the  name 
of  Regia  ;  and  in  other  ancient  documents  it  is  called  Rosse 
de  Naileagh.  Its  earhest  name  is  allowed  to  have  been 
Lum-neach,  an  Irish  word,  signifying  a  place  made  bare  by 
the  grazing  of  horses.  It  seems,  that  at  a  very  early  period, 
the  island  upon  which  part  of  the  city  stands,  was  the  resort 
of  a  set  of  outlaws  and  vagabonds,  who  subsisted  by  plunder- 
ing the  neighboring  counties,  on  both  sides  of  the  river : 


TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK.  159 

(think  of  ancient  Rome.)  Here  they  drove  their  stolen 
horses.  Hence  the  name.  The  island  was  at  that  time 
accessible  only  by  a  ford  ;  now,  two  majestic  stone  bridges 
span  the  river,  uniting  the  county  Clare  with  the  town.  Its 
present  modification  of  name  was  by  the  English. 

The  place  was  taken  and  plundered  by  the  Danes,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  812,  and  soon  after  they  constituted  it  one 
of  their  principal  maritime  stations.  They  encompassed  it 
with  walls  and  towers  ;  and  for  more  than  a  century  main- 
tained it  as  a  place  of  great  importance  to  their  interests  in 
Ireland.  At  the  time,  denominated  in  history,  "  The 
EngUsh  Invasion,"  A.  D.  1169,  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
English  ;  and  soon  after  the  Danes  were  banished  from  the 
kingdom.  Previous  to  this  time,  much  blood  had  been  shed 
■within  and  outside  its  walls.  There  is  an  account  of  a  suc- 
cessful siege  against  it,  by  Brien  Boroimhe,  (can  you  get 
your  American  tongue  around  this  ?)  King  of  Munster.  It 
became  the  residence  of  the  King  of  Thomond,  or  North 
Munster,  and  arrived  at  such  dignity  as  to  be  called  in  his- 
tory, "  The  Kingdom  of  Limerick."  I  find  that  during  a 
few  centuries  it  suifered  no  less  than  eight  bloody  sieges. 
The  last  two  were  the  most  important,  as  they  resulted  in  its 
complete  subjugation  to  the  Protestant  British  throne.  These 
sieges  took  place,  A.  D.  1690 — 1. 

On  the  accession  of  James  II.,  the  inhabitants  proclaimed 
the  event  with  great  rejoicings.  The  same  year.  King  Wil- 
liam, the  antagonist  of  James,  laid  siege  to  the  city.  It  was 
then  a  walled  town,  three  miles  in  circumference,  -vvith  a 
castle,  citadel,  various  towers,  and  seventeen  gates,  the 
whole  strongly  fortified.  William  approached  the  walls  with 
twenty  thousand  veteran  troops,  and  commenced  the  siege. 
The  place  was  well  garrisoned  with  Irish  and  Danish  troops, 
largely  supplied  with  munitions  of  war,  with  the  advantage 


160  TEN    WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

of  a  free  access  to  the  ocean.  Notwithstanding  these  disad- 
vantages, together  with  the  lateness  of  the  season,  this 
monarch  pressed  the  siege  with  great  vigor.  A  breach  was 
made,  and  through  it  did  his  vahant  soldiers  several  times 
penetrate  into  the  city,  but  as  often  were  they  driven  back. 
This  desperate  contest  lasted  four  hours,  when  William  was 
forced  to  retreat,  leaving  behind  him  sixteen  hundred  men, 
principally  slain.  A  few  months  afterwards.  King  William 
sent  General  Ginkell  against  the  place  with  a  large  army. 
The  siege  was  bloody  and  desperate.  I  stood  near  the  place 
yesterday,  at  the  Thomond  Bridge,  where  six  hundred  Irish 
troops  were  cut  to  pieces,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  drowned. 
It  seems  the  Irish  had  made  a  sally,  but  meeting  with  a  hot 
reception,  and  being  severely  pressed  by  the  English,  they 
retreated  in  great  disorder.  The  officer  in  charge  of  the 
gate,  fearing  the  English  might  gain  an  entrance  with  the 
fugitives,  ordered  the  bridge  to  be  drawn  and  the  gate  shut ; 
thus  the  poor  fellows  were  left  to  be  butchered  like  so  many 
cattle.  On  the  first  of  October  the  city  surrendered,  under 
certain  articles  of  capitulation.  The  treaty  was  signed  on  a 
large  stone,  on  the  Clare  side  of  the  Shannon,  close  to  the 
bridge.  This  stone  is  an  object  of  interest  to  the  inhabitants, 
as  well  as  a  curiosity  to  visiters.  About  this  time  the  city 
was  declared  to  be  no  longer  a  fortress,  and  the  dismanthng 
of  its  walls  immediately  took  place. 

The  other  day  I  walked  upon  fifty  yards  of  the  old  wall. 
It  is  about  twenty-five  feet  high.  The  effects  of  the  cannon- 
ading are  still  visible  in  the  shattered  and  broken  stones  of 
the  front.  A  gentleman  who  accompanied  me,  pointed  out 
the  place  where  King  William  made  the  first  breach,  and 
the  spot  where  the  Irish  and  Danes  played  off  a  small  battery 
which  did  terrible  execution  among  those  who  were  pressing 
in.     Here  was  the  place,  too,  where  the  good  ladies  of  Lime- 


TEN   WEEKS   IX   LIMERICK.  161 

rick  came  up  to  the  help  of  then*  vahant  husbands.  Strong 
affection  for  those  thej  loved  drew  them  to  the  scene  of  con- 
flict, weaponless  of  course ;  but  seeing  the  dreadful  crisis 
the  J  resolved  to  go  into  action  ;  so,  pulling  off  their  stock- 
ings and  putting  a  few  stones  therein,  they  rushed  into  the 
ranks  and  assisted  in  turning  the  tide  of  battle.  The  heavy- 
footed  stockings  were  seen  swinging  in  all  directions ;  with 
these  they  hammered  the  heads  of  the  wounded,  or  those 
who  had  fallen  in  the  pell-mell  of  retreat.  Oh,  the  horrors 
of  war  ;  into  what  demons  does  it  transform  our  race  ! 

Pardon  the  digression.  But  Limerick,  wall-less  as  it  is, 
is  once  more  besieged  by  a  small  army  under  the  command 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Several  skirmishes  have  already  taken 
place,  and  more  than  thirty  sinners  have  been  wounded  by 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit ;  but  the  Captain  of  our  salvation 
has  healed  them  again,  as  he  did  poor  Malchus,  who  had 
been  deprived  of  his  ear  by  the  keen  sword  of  Peter.  We 
are  expecting  a  general  engagement  one  of  these  days  ;  but 
it  is  not  necessary  to  contrast  the  consequences  ;  I  mean 
with  those  bloody  conflicts  I  have  been  just  describing. 
Should  we  have  the  victory,  it  will  be  a  bloodless  one  ;  and 
the  effects  so  much  more  glorious  that  they  cannot  be  brought 
into  comparison  ;  but  if  we  are  unsuccessful,  the  results  to 
many  hundreds  of  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  may  be  as  awfully 
terrific  as  the  horrors  of  hell  surpass  those  of  the  bloodiest 
battle  that  has  ever  stained  our  globe. 

The  ancient  Cathedral  of  St.  Mary  is  a  venerable  and 
noble  structure,  in  plain  Gothic.  The  walls  are  surmounted 
by  a  line  of  graduated  battlements,  and  the  whole  finished 
off  with  a  square  tower  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  high, 
singularly  castellated  at  the  top,  besides  four  turrets,  twenty 
feet  high,  which  adorn  the  angles.  The  interior  is  orna- 
mented with  a  variety  of  monuments  and  inscriptions.  The 
14* 


162  TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

sculpture,  however,  possesses  but  little  interest  beyond  being 
very  ancient.  The  figures,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  are 
very  coarse.  I  was  amused  and  surprised  to  find  the  follow- 
ing inscription  upon  a  plain  slab  in  this  church ;  especially 
as  it  dates  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  :  — 

MEMENTO  MORY 

HERE  LIETH  LITTEL 

SAMVELL  BARINGTON  THAT 

GREAT  VNDERTAKER  OF 
FAMOVS  CITTIS  CLOCK  AND 

CHIME  MAKER  HE  MADE 
HIS    OWN    TIME    GOE    EAR- 
LY AND  LATTER  BVT 
NOW  HE  IS  RETVRNED  TO 
GOD  HIS  CREATOR 
THE  19  NOVEMBER  THEN 
HE  SEEST  AND  FOR  HIS 
MEMORY  THIS  HERE  IS 
PLEAST  BY  HIS  SON  BEN 
1693. 

Was  not  Ben  a  genius  ? 

Will  your  taste  be  shocked,  if  I  tell  you,  that  encompassed 
as  I  was  with  many  remnants  of  antiquity,  my  eyes  rested  on 
no  spot  with  such  interest  as  upon  the  ruins  of  an  old  Meth- 
odist chapel  ?  A  few  moments  after  leaving  the  cathedral, 
we  found  ourselves  standing  before  its  venerable  walls.  It  is 
nearly  unroofed.  The  front  is  supported  by  four  pillars  of 
the  Tuscan  order,  resting  upon  neat  pedestals,  and  finished 
with  plain  capitals.  The  recess  is  well  flagged,  protected  by 
a  substantial  balustrade.  To  the  left  are  the  stairs  to  the 
lobby,  entirely  above  the  chapel.  These  we  ascended,  but 
durst  not  proceed,  as  the  floors  were  bad.  We  could  see  the 
long  range  of  class-rooms,  and  chambers  for  the  preachers, 
according  to  the  custom  of  early  Methodism.  The  interior 
of  the  chapel  is  a  mournful  desolation ;  the  pulpit  is  gone, 


TEN   WEEKS   IX   LIMERICK.  163 

and  the  whole  seatless  and  floorless.  The  frame- work  of  the 
galleries  and  the  stairs  remain.  Ah !  I  thought,  this  place 
has  often  been  vocal  with  the  praises  of  God.  Multitudes, 
now  in  heaven,  were  "  born  of  the  Spirit"  withui  these  walls. 
Here  Mr.  Wesley  often  preached  the  gospel  "  with  the  Holy 
Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven."  In  this  place  he  often  met 
the  society,  and  instructed  them  in  the  deep  things  of  God ; 
but  they  are  all  long  since  gone  to  the  eternal  world. 

The  following  remarks  on  this  chapel  are  given  by  Mr. 
Wesley,  in  his  journal,  1765  :  "  Friday,  8th  June,  I  rode  to 
Limerick,  and  found  the  preaching-house  just  finished.  I 
liked  it  the  best  of  any  in  the  kingdom  ;  being  neat,  yea, 
elegant,  yet  not  gaudy." 

The  Wesleyan  Methodists  have,  at  present,  a  large  and 
handsome  chapel  in  another  part  of  the  city.  Limerick  has 
the  usual  number  of  benevolent  institutions  which  honor 
other  cities  ;  the  same  variety  also  of  Christian  denomina- 
tions and  places  of  worship  that  we  have  generally  in  America. 
You  are  aware,  that  all  who  do  not  belong  to  the  Established 
Church  in  this  country,  are  called  Dissenters  or  Roman  Cath- 
olics. The  dissenting  churches  in  Limerick  are  very  respec- 
table and  flourishing,  although  they  are  living  amidst  the 
frowns  of  Papists  on  the  one  hand,  and,  very  generally,  the 
contempt  of  the  EstabHshment  on  the  other. 

That  popery  should  frown  upon  protestant  churches,  and 
persecute  them,  is  not  to  be  wondered  at ;  but  that  the  min- 
isters of  one  protestant  church  should  endeavor  to  unchurch 
all  others,  and  anathematize  their  ministers,  as  intruders  into 
the  pastoral  office,  is  mournful  indeed.  It  is  not  unlikely 
that  a  church  establishment  is  best  for  these  kingdoms ; 
inasmuch  as  it  has  been,  for  centuries,  interwoven  with  their 
civil  and  rehgious  constitution.  The  fact,  however,  is  noto- 
rious, that  in  whatsoever  nation  under  heaven,  one  branch  of 


164  TEN   WEEKS    IN   LIMERICK. 

the  church  is  elevated  by  law  above  the  others,  in  honors, 
privileges,  and  emoluments,  that  that  section  becomes,  and 
continues  overbearing,  dogmatical,  and  exclusive  ;  and  thus 
it  has  been  from  time  immemorial.  You  will  ask,  "  But 
have  the  J  meddled  with  the  validity  of  your  ministry  ?'* 
Certainly ;  am  I  not  found  among  the  Dissenters  ?  It  is 
therefore  thought  impossible  your  friend  can  be  in  the  suc- 
cession. I  usually  answer  the  attack  with  a  smile,  or  a 
pointed  reply,  thus :  I  have  no  sympathy  whatever  with  your 
exclusive  claims.  Your  high  church  notions  may  do  well 
enough  for  this  country,  but  as  we  have  no  state  church  in 
America,  you  cannot  imagine  I  should  have  any  respect  for 
such  claims.  Christian  churches  are  there  on  an  equal  foot- 
ing in  all  respects  ;  and  the  consequence  is,  they  escape  that 
humiliating  persecution  to  which  your  sister  churches  are 
subjected,  inmost  places  in  Ireland.  As  to  the  constitution 
and  government  of  the  church  of  which  I  am  a  member,  it  is 
an  Episcopacy.  We  have  our  bishops,  elders,  and  deacons  ; 
and  allow  me  to  say,  however  you  may  be  dissatisfied  with 
us,  we  are  perfectly  contented,  as  a  church,  with  our  ec- 
clesiastical position  in  America.  But  I  would  have  you  un- 
derstand, we  lay  no  claim  to  any  such  superiority  over  other 
churches,  as  would  go  to  invalidate  the  ordination  of  their 
pastors.  "  I  am  become  a  fool  in  glorying ;  ye  have  com- 
pelled me."  2  Cor.  xii.  11.  "Yet  as  a  fool  receive  me, 
that  I  may  boast  myself  a  little."  2  Cor.  xi.  16.  Although 
the  hands  of  two  bishops  have  been  upon  my  head ;  first,  in 
my  ordination  as  deacon  ;  and,  lastly,  as  an  elder  in  the 
church  of  God ;  yet,  neither  do  I  on  this  account  disesteem 
or  undervalue  the  ordination  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  min- 
isters, nor  that  of  other  Dissenting  clergymen  of  these  king- 
doms ;  nor  will  I  allow  you  to  go  on  with  your  unwarrantable 
denunciations  against  my  ministry  and  ordination,  without 


TEN    WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK.  165 

administering  the  rebuke  your  pride  and  arrogance  have  so 
justly  merited. 

As  to  the  aspect  of  Limerick  generally,  you  would  not  be 
pleased  with  it,  accustomed  as  you  have  been  to  the  clean 
streets,  tastefully  pamted  houses,  and  lively,  brilliant  appear- 
ance of  American  cities  and  villages.  The  streets  are  nar- 
row and  dirty ;  buildings,  principally  of  brick,  old,  and  very 
dark  and  sooty,  owing  probably  to  the  moisture  of  the  ch- 
mate,  and  the  abundance  of  coal  consumed.  These  remarks 
will  only  apply  to  those  parts  of  the  city  named  Enghsh  and 
Irish  Towns.  The  new  city  is  quite  of  a  different  character. 
The  streets  are  wide  and  clean ;  the  houses  handsome  ;  and, 
taken  altogether,  the  city  of  New  York  would  be  honored  by 
a  transfer  of  this  part  of  the  city  of  Limerick. 

I  have  not  been  here  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  form 
an  opinion  respectmg  the  inhabitants.  My  acquaintance  is, 
as  yet,  hmited  to  the  Methodists  ;  and  a  most  loving,  hospit- 
able people  they  are;  intelligent,  influential,  united,  and 
deeply  devoted  to  God.  I  think  if  Mr.  Wesley  were  ahve, 
he  would  have  the  same  opinion  of  them  now,  that  he  had 
when  he  penned  the  character  of  the  Limerick  society  in 
ITTl :  "  Feb.  25th,  I  spoke  severally  to  the  members  of  the 
society  in  Limerick.  I  have  found  no  society  in  Ireland, 
number  for  number,  so  rooted  and  grounded  in  love."  They 
have  two  excellent  men  of  God  stationed  among  them  this 
year,  the  Rev.  John  F.  Mathews,  and  the  Rev.  William  F. 
Applebe,  with  whom  I  feel  my  soul  strongly  united  in  love. 
They  are  everything  I  could  desire,  and  enter  most  heartily 
into  the  revival. 

As  to  the  congregation,  although  we  have  had  divine  ser- 
vice every  night  since  my  arrival,  there  is,  as  yet,  no  falling 
off.  This  looks  like  an  improvement  since  Mr.  Wesley's  day. 
It  seems  they  had  given  him  trouble  on  this  head,  and  drove 


166  TEN   WEEKS   IN   LIMERICK. 

him  to  certain  measures  which  proved  successful.  The  fol- 
lowing entry  in  his  journal  for  the  year  1771,  is  rather 
amusing :  "  Tuesday,  14th,  I  rode  on  to  Limerick,  and  told 
them  plainly,  '  If,  as  is  your  manner,  you  attend  three  days, 
and  then  fall  off,  I  can  bestow  my  time  better  elsewhere. 
But  if  you  continue  to  come,  I  will  stay  with  you  longer.' 
They  took  me  at  my  word,  and  continued  to  increase,  both 
morning  and  evening,  as  long  as  I  stayed  in  the  city." 

Mr.  Mathews  and  I  have  been  engaged  lately  in  visiting 
from  house  to  house,  praying  with  the  families  and  exhorting 
sinners  to  turn  to  God.  I  preach  every  night  in  the  week, 
except  Monday  and  Saturday.  There  is  a  gracious  move 
among  the  people.  Sixty  persons  came  foward,  night  before 
last,  to  testify,  that,  during  the  last  few  weeks,  they  had  found 
"redemption  through  His  blood,  even  the  forgiveness  of  sins  ;" 
and  afterwards  eighty  awakened  sinners  came  forward  for  the 
prayers  of  God's  people  ;  five  or  six  of  whom  were  convert- 
ed before  they  departed.      Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest ! 

The  following  passages  are  taken  from  a  letter  written 
from  Cork,  and  contain  several  matters  of  interest  concern- 
ing the  results  of  his  labors  in  Limerick : — 

Yesterday  morning,  March  18,  1842,  I  left  Limerick  by 
stage  coach,  and  arrived  in  this  city  (Cork)  a  little  past  five, 
P.  M.  Thirty  miles  of  our  route  lay  through  an  interesting 
country,  but  the  remainder  of  the  way  was  exceedingly  dull, 
and  the  weather  bleak. 

"We  had  a  very  gracious  work  of  God  in  Limerick.  One 
hundred  and  thirty  persons  professed  the  salvation  of  the 
gospel,  and  about  ninety  united  with  the  IMethodist  church. 
I  was  informed  that  other  churches  had  received  some 
benefit  from  the  revival ;   to  what  extent  I  am  not  able  to 


TEN    WEEKS    IN    LIMERICK.  167 

A  few  days  before  I  departed,  I  was  invited  to  take  break- 
fast with  a  number  of  the  friends  in  the  vestry.  Tliere  were 
about  forty  present.  When  the  cloth  was  removed,  the  Rev. 
J.  F.  Mathews,  Superintendent  of  the  Circuit,  rose,  and 
after  a  short  speech,  a  copy  of  which  was  given  to  me  after- 
wards, he  presented  me  with  a  valuable  patent  lever  watch, 
together  with  an  address,  signed  by  the  chairman  and  secre- 
tary of  the  meeting.  I  rose,  and  returned  Mr.  M.  and  the 
friends  my  hearty  thanks,  stating,  that  I  should  be  most 
happy  to  receive  the  beautiful  timepiece,  did  I  not  possess  a 
good  one  already ;  that  one  watch  was  quite  enough  for  a 
Methodist  preacher ;  that  if  they  would  consent  to  receive 
mine,  and  do  what  they  pleased  with  it,  I  would  gratefully 
accept  theu'  elegant  present ;  but  only  on  these  terms.  It 
was  then  resolved  that  the  Rev.  JohnF.  Mathews  should  be 
presented  with  my  watch.  I  accompanied  it  with  a  short 
address  ;  but  I  felt  so  unworthy,  and  was  so  overcome  with 
the  unexpected  kindness  shown  me,  that  I  could  scarcely 
proceed.  Mr.  M.  received  it  with  such  expressions  of 
brotherly  love,  as  have  left  an  indelible  impression  upon  my 
heart.  The  following  are  the  copies  of  the  addresses  on  the 
occasion :  — 

"Reverend  and  very  dear  Sir, 

"  At  the  request  of  a  few  of  our  brethren  of  the  Wes- 
leyan  society,  some  of  whom,  through  you,  have  been  led  to 
the  Saviour,  and  united  to  his  people,  we  address  you  a  few 
lines,  now  on  the  eve  of  your  departure  from  us,  to  another 
field  of  labor  and  usefulness. 

"  We  feel  inadequate  to  give  expression  to  our  feelings  of 
respect  and  regard  to  you,  for  your  great  and  unwearied 
exertions  during  your  visit  to  this  city.  The  results  have 
greatly  exceeded  our  highest  anticipations.     WTien  we  con- 


168  TEN    WEEKS    IN   LIMERICK. 

sider  the  large  attendance  of  deeply  attentive  congregations, 
that  from  night  to  night  sat  under  your  ministry,  the  numbers 
who  have  been  awakened  and  brought  to  believe  in  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  the  encouraging  circumstances  in  which  the  soci- 
ety has  been  placed  by  this  revival  of  the  work  of  God,  we 
are  led,  with  adoring  gratitude  to  Him^  the  source  of  every 
blessing,  to  acknowledge  what,  through  your  instrumentality, 
has  been  eifected. 

"  We  trust,  dear  Sir,  that  your  valuable  life  will  long  be 
preserved  to  the  world  and  the  church  ;  that  you  may  live 
to  publish  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  which,  we  earn- 
estly pray,  may  to  many  thousands  be  his  power  to  their 
salvation,  who  shall  be  your  'joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing  in 
the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus.'  We  do  cherish  the  delightful 
expectation  of  meeting  you  in  that  day,  in  our  Father's 
kingdom,  where  there  is  '  fulness  of  joy,'  and  '  pleasures  for 
evermore.'  Now  that  you  are  about  to  leave  us,  we  cannot 
let  you  depart  without  a  small  testimony  of  our  fraternal  re- 
gard for  you,  and  trust  you  will  be  pleased  to  accept  the 
accompanying  token  as  an  expression  of  gratitude  to  God, 
for  the  blessings  he  has  been  pleased  to  confer  on  us  through 
your  instrumentality. 

"  We  remain,  dear  Sir,  yours  most  truly  and  affectionate- 
ly ;  by  order, 

"  RoBT.  Keays. 

"MlCHL.    SWITZER." 

"iZarcAlSf/i,  1842." 

The  secretary  put  into  my  hands  the  following,  as  the  sum- 
mary of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mathew's  address  :  — 

"  He  congratulated  the  meeting  upon  the  very  cheering 
circumstances  in  which  the  society  was  placed.  A  few 
months  ago  it  was  greatly  depressed,  but  now  the  scene  was 
considerably  altered.     Many,  during  the  revival,  had  been 


TEN    WEEKS   IX    LIMERICK.  169 

converted  to  God,  had  given  themselves  to  him  and  to  his 
people  according  to  his  will. 

"•  He  spoke  of  Methodism  in  terms  of  liigh  admiration 
with  regard  to  its  doctrines,  privileges,  and  discipline,  and 
of  its  adaptation  to  the  great  designs  of  God  in  the  salvation 
of  the  world.  The  Lord  had  signally  owned  the  labors  of 
his  servant.  His  word  had  been  '  in  demonstration  of  the 
Spirit  and  of  power.'  The  gospel,  by  his  ministry,  had  in- 
deed come  'in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance.'  It 
was  their  earnest  prayer  that  the  Lord  would  still  be  with 
him;  and,  in  every  place,  crown  his  labors  with  abundant 
success. 

"In  conclusion,  he  observed,  this  token  of  affection  and 
gratitude  is  a  watch.  The  friends  presenting  it  are  fully 
aware,  dear  Sir,  that  you  deeply  feel  the  value  of  time  ;  else 
you  would  not  have  preached  with  that  ^^earning  compassion 
for  the  souls  of  sinners,  which  has  characterized  your  labors 
since  you  came  to  this  city  ;  that  its  unspeakable  importance, 
as  the  period  allotted  to  prepare  for  eternity,  is  a  subject 
which  fills  your  mind  in  all  your  ministrations. 

"  The  vibrations  of  this  watch,  wherever  the  providence 
of  God  may  lead  you,  in  Ireland,  England,  the  continent  of 
Europe,  the  mighty  deep,  or  far  away  be^^ond  the  great 
Atlantic,  will  be  a  fit  memento  of  the  constant  affectionate 
vibrations  of  the  hearts  of  your  Limerick  friends  ;  and  we  are 
led,  in  joyful  anticipation,  to  look  beyond  the  periodical  revo- 
lutions of  hours  and  days,  months  and  ye^rs,  terms  belong- 
ing to  limited  duration ;  to  that  glorious  period  when  there 
shall  be  duration  without  measure,  without  limit,  and  without 
end  ;  and  we  expect,  dear  Sir,  to  meet  you  in  that  kingdom, 
where  our  friendship  shall  be  perpetuated  forever." 

I  received  many  other  tokens  of  the  strong  affection  of 
this  lovely  people,  and  left  their  city  with  feelings  of  strong 
15 


170  TEX   WEEKS    IN    LIMERICK. 

attachment  and  gratitude  not  easily  expressed.  An  ac- 
quaintance has  been  formed  there  with  some  of  the  excellent 
of  the  earth  which,  I  believe,  shall  be  renewed  in  heaven.  I 
do  praise  God  also,  that  I  ever  became  acquainted  with  the 
Rev.  J.  F.  Mathews,  and  his  colleague,  Mr.  Applebe,  and 
with  their  amiable  wives  and  families. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
»> 

VISIT  TO   CORK. 

Having  finished  his  work  in  Limerick,  Mr.  Caughej  found 
"  an  open  door  "  in  the  city  of  Cork.  With  the  incidents  of 
his  visit  there,  the  reader  will  be  greatly  pleased.  Perhaps 
he  will  wish  that  Mr.  Caughey  had  given  a  more  regular 
and  detailed  account  of  his  revival  nlovements.  But  it  must 
be  recollected  that,  in  a  former  chapter,  he  has  entered  fully 
into  his  mode  of  assaulting  the  kingdom  of  Satan.  To  de- 
scribe minutely  his  labors  in  each  place,  would  be  only  a 
repetition  of  that  chapter,  since  his  mode  of  procedure  was 
substantially  the  same  every  where.  He  has,  therefore,  very 
wisely,  as  we  think,  left  the  reader  to  apply  the  descriptions 
of  that  thriUing  chapter*  to  Limerick,  Cork,  &c.,  and  has 
given  us  the  incidents  only  which  were  extraordinary  and 
peculiar. 

The  succeeding  chapter  derives  its  chief  interest  and  value 
from  its  description  of  the  veteran  soldier,  a  truly  unique 
character.  There  is  a  singular  beauty  in  the  picture  it  pre- 
sents of  the  wearied  warrior,  laying  down  his  sword  before 
the  door  of  the  Wesleyan  Chapel,  and  offering  his  services  to 
the  Captain  of  his  salvation :  and  in  the  subsequent  history 
of  this  bold  old  soldier  we  have  the  character  and  duty  of 
a  MODEL  CLASS-LEADER  distinctly  drawn.  We  hope  this 
character  will  be  profoundly  studied  by  every  class-leader  in 

*  Vide  Chapter  IV. 

171 


172  VISIT   TO   CORK. 

the  connection.  But  we  must  let  Mr.  Caughey  speak  for 
himself.  In  his  usual  and  somewhat  abrupt  manner  he  thus 
begins  his  account  of  his  visit  to  Cork  : — 

To-morrow  morning,  March  20, 1842,  please  God,  I  open 
my  commission  in  Cork.  This  morning  I  walked  out  of  the 
city,  and  ascended  one  of  the  neighboi-ing  hills,  and  had  a 
fine  view  of  the  place.  It  blew  a  gale  at  the  time,  with  oc- 
casional bursts  of  sunshine  through  careering  clouds.  I 
spent  some  time  here  in  fervent  prayer  for  the  town,  which 
lay  beneath  ;  near  access  to  God  was  vouchsafed  me  ;  and, 
after  pleading  deeply  in  the  Spirit  for  the  inhabitants,  I 
arose  from  my  knees  with  the  fullest  conviction  that  God  was 
just  as  willing  to  visit  Cork  with  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit, 
as  he  was  to  send  the  purifying  breeze,  and  the  warming  and 
cheering  beams  of  the  sun,  through  the  streets  and  lanes 
of  the  city. 

On  the  Sabbath  morning  following  I  addressed  a  large 
congregation  from  Isaiah  xl.  31 ;  many  received  the  word  in 
faith  and  gladness,  but  some  were  prejudiced,  and  resisted. 
I  had  many  conflicting  emotions  during  the  sermon ;  such  as 
light,  gloom,  joy,  sadness,  freedom,  restraint,  softness,  hard- 
ness. Do  you  understand  such  a  paradoxical  experience  ? 
I  felt  deeply  humbled,  and  resolved  to  cleave  to  God.  At 
night  I  opened  my  commission  more  fully,  from  Jeremiah 
xxiii.  19,  20.  God  enabled  me  to  bear  down  on  sinners  with 
the  following  proposition  :  There  are  a  few  gi'eat  principles 
which  every  sinner  should  consider  perfectly  before  he  enters 
the  eternal  world. 

It  was  a  very  solemn  time,  especially  at  the  close  of  the 
sermon.  I  insisted  that  a  period  must  arrive  in  the  history 
of  all  men  who  die  in  sin,  when  God  Almighty  will  compel 
them,  by  all  the  arguments  of  hell-fire,  to  consider  perfectly 


VISIT   TO   CORK.  173 

those  subjects  which  during  hfe  they  had  neglected ;  that 
perfect  consideration  now  would  be  attended  with  the  most 
delightful  consequences,  but  that  the  same  exercise  of  mind 
in  hell  will  only  sink  them  deeper  in  its  tormenting  flames. 
I  then  threw  do^vn  the  gauntlet  of  defiance  against  the  devil 
and  all  his  works,  and  ralHed  my  oflBcers  around  the  banners 
of  the  cross.  There  was  a  shaking,  but  the  devil  raised  his 
signal  of  determined  opposition.  The  night  was  spent  in 
hard  fighting,  without  any  great  advantage  on  either  side. 
Hostilities  ceased  about  ten  o'clock  at  night.  We  called  off 
our  troops  and  so  did  Satan.  He  had  some  wounded,  but 
he  carried  them  off  the  battle-ground.  Since  then  we  have 
had  a  hard  tug  of  war ;  several  of  our  praying  men  have 
been  so  exhausted  that  they  could  not  engage  in  active 
service. 

A  few  nights  ago  one  of  the  worthiest  officers  in  Jesus 
Christ's  army  was  beaten  from  his  post ;  I  found  him  in  the 
congregation  with  his  head  down  in  great  dejection,  and  sur- 
rounded with  many  in  a  similar  state  of  soul.  I  went  to 
him  and  said,  "  What  doest  thou  here,  Elijah  ?"  He  had 
just  strength  enough  to  reply,  "  There  is  too  much  noise ;  I 
can  do  nothing  in  the  midst  of  it." 

"  My  brother,  I  am  astonished  at  you !  It  is  a  temptation 
of  the  devil.  I  have  just  been  mourning  over  the  death-like 
stillness  which  is  prevaihng,  suspecting  it  to  arise  from  luke- 
warmness  and  spiritual  death,  and  I  have  been  urging  the 
brethren  to  get  into  a  state  of  soul  in  which  they  could  shout 
for  battle  and  for  victory." 

He  saw  it  was  a  de^dce  of  Satan,  and  escaped  out  of  the 
hand  of  the  enemy.  The  leaders  complain  of  great  hardness 
of  heart,  but  they  are  good  men  and  true — 

"Valiant  hearted  men, 
Who  will  not  their  colors  fly." 

15* 


174  VISIT  TO   CORK. 

The  preachers,  Rev.  Fossey  Tackaberry,  (brother  -to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Tackaberry,  of  the  New  York  Conference,)  and 
Rev.  John  Greer,  are  possessed  of  an  excellent  spirit,  fine 
talents,  and  active  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  are 
liighly  esteemed  by  their  people  They  manifest  a  lively 
interest  in  the  present  conflict,  and  seem  delighted  to  open 
every  door  of  usefulness  which  would  be  likely  to  promote 
the  great  end  of  my  visit. 

The  principal  chapel  is  a  large  and  substantial  building. 
Its  exterior  is  quite  pretentionless ;  the  interior,  however,  is 
spacious  and  exceedingly  neat.  There  is  an  elegant  and 
dignified  simplicity  in  the  fitting  up  which  I  admire.  In  few 
places  of  worship  has  my  mind  enjoyed  such  a  soothing  sense 
of  religious  quiet  and  seclusion  from  the  world  as  in  this. 
The  regular  congregation  is  large  and  highly  respectable ; 
equal  to  that  in  Abbey  street,  Dublin,  m  every  respect. 
The  preachers  insist  I  shall  occupy  the  pulpit  twice  on  the 
Sabbath  while  I  stay.  My  mind  has  been  uneasy  about  this, 
knowing  the  superior  talents  of  these  servants  of  God ;  but 
they  say,  "  Let  God  send  by  whom  he  Avill  send  ;  w^e  have 
been  preaching  to  our  people  for  several  months,  and  we  shall 
have  many  opportunities  after  you  are  gone  ;  we  wish  you 
to  do  all  the  good  you  can  while  you  remain  with  us." 

A  touching  scene  once  took  place  in  front  of  the  above 
chapel,  which  will  please  you.  It  was  related  to  me  by  an 
old  and  successful  class-leader  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Society  in  this  city,  as  a  part  of  his  religious  experience. 
He  is  one  of  the  holiest  and  most  devoted  men  of  God  I 
have  ever  met.  Although  between  seventy  and  eighty  years 
of  age,  his  mind  seems  to  have  all  the  freshness  and  vigor  of 
youth.  He  has  been  the  instrument  of  the  conversion  of  a 
great  number  of  sinners  ;  not  so  much,  I  believe,  by  public 
exhortations  as  by  his  private  efforts  for  their  salvation  ;  by 


VISIT   TO   CORK.  175 

this  I  mean  his  close,  pungent,  and  untiring  application  of 
divine  truth  to  individual  sinners,  in  private  conversation. 
The  whole  of  his  time  is  now  taken  up  in  watching  over  and 
visiting  the  members  of  several  large  classes  committed  by 
the  church  to  his  care.  Indeed  he  is  a  father  to  the  entire 
society.  The  prime  of  his  life  was  spent  in  the  British  army. 
He  endured  the  hardships  and  hazards  of  several  bloody 
campaigns  in  the  Peninsular  war.  It  was  on  his  return  from 
fighting  the  battles  of  his  country  that  the  circumstance 
alluded  to  occurred.  I  will  give  it  you  in  nearly  his  own 
words : — 

"  On  the  21st  September,  1809,  I  arrived  in  Cork  by  the 
mail,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning.  I  had  been  dis- 
charged from  the  Royal  Artillery,  my  health  ha^dng  suffered 
much  in  Spain.  The  morning  was  fine,  the  streets  stiU  and 
solitary ;  I  knew  my  wife  and  children  were  asleep,  and  con- 
cluded not  to  disturb  them  so  early.  I  went  to  the  front  of 
the  Wesley  chapel,  laid  down  my  pack,  and  placed  my 
sword  across  the  iron  gate,  kneeled  on  the  flags,  and  praised 
my  gracious  God  with  all  my  heart  and  soul  for  his  provi- 
dential care,  in  not  suffering  a  bone  to  be  broken  nor  a  drop 
of  my  blood  to  be  shed,  in  all  the  sieges  and  battles  in  which 
I  had  been  engaged  under  the  Duke  of  York  and  Sir  J. 
Moore  ;  saving  me  by  sea  and  land,  and  for  bringing  me  to 
my  family  in  peace. 

"  And  now,  my  God  and  Kiug,  I  praise  thee  for  all  thy 
mercies ;  and  as  thou  hast  enabled  me,  by  thy  grace,  to  serve 
faithfully  my  earthly  sovereign,  and  hast  provided  for  me  an 
honorable  discharge  from  this  bloody  service,  I  drop,  I  lay 
down  my  carnal  sword  at  the  gate  of  thy  house,  determined 
by  divine  grace  to  put  on  more  heartily  the  whole  armor  of 
God  ;  the  breast-plate  of  righteousness,  the  girdle  of  truth, 
the  gospel  shoes,  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  shield  of 


3.76  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

faith.  0  Lord  Jesus  Christj  enable  me  now  to  take  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit ;  for  I  am  fully  resolved,  by  thy  assist- 
ance, to  serve  thee  as  faithfully  as  I  have  served  King 
George.  0  God,  teach  me  to  be  expert  in  the  use  of  these 
my  spiritual  weapons;  teach  my  hands  to  war  and  my 
fingers  to  fight,  that  I  may  crucify  the  flesh,  overcome  the 
spirit  of  the  world,  and  vanquish  all  the  powers  of  darkness  ; 
serve  my  generation,  glorify  thy  name,  and  be  made  meet, 
through  rich  and  abounding  mercy,  to  enjoy  thee  in  glory, 
through  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord.     Amen." 

"  I  have  no  doubt,"  continued  the  old  Christian  warrior, 
"  after  thirty-two  years'  experience,  this  prayer  was  heard 
and  answered.  Grlory,  eternal  glory  be  ascribed  to  God ! 
Within  a  few  minutes  of  six  o'clock  I  went  home  to  my  joy- 
ful, weeping  wife  and  children.  As  I  now  had  enlisted  more 
immediately  in  the  service  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  plainly  saw  it 
was  my  duty  to  win  as  many  souls  for  my  Lord  as  I  possibly 
could.  I  made  an  eSbrt,  rough  as  it  was,  to  grapple  with 
the  servants  of  the  devil,  and  God  blessed  my  humble  en- 
deavors. My  class  soon  became  too  large,  and  had  to  be 
divided ;  then  multiplying  in  numbers,  it  was  again  divided 
and  sub-divided.     In  a  few  years  I  had  six  large  classes." 

Is  there  not  something  morally  grand  thrown  around  the 
above  simple  story  ?  It  is  not  every  hero,  returning  from 
the  field  of  battle,  who  thus  lays  his  honors  at  the  feet  of 
Christ  and  enlists  for  life  under  the  command  of  the  Captain 
of  our  salvation.  I  have  another  circumstance  to  relate, 
connected  with  this  excellent  man,  told  me  by  a  friend  the 
other  day.  It  may  be  a  blessing  to  yourself  and  other  lead- 
ers in  America,  many  of  whom  need  to  be  stirred  up  as  well 
as  those  in  Cork.  At  a  meeting,  several  years  ago,  the 
leaders  were  presenting  their  class-books  for  the  inspection 
of  the  minister.     One  good  brother  had  but  a  very  small 


VISIT   TO   CORK.  177 

class,  and  it  had  continued  stationary  for  years.  Our  friend 
whispered  in  his  ear,  "  Brother,  for  a  long  time-  you  have 
had  but  a  few  names  at  the  head  of  that  paper ;  why  don't 
you  get  some  of  Satan's  servants  brought  down  to  the  foot 
of  the  cross  ?  He  has  too  many  of  them  ;  get  some  of  them 
converted,  and  fill  your  paper  with  their  names." 

The  good  man  thought  it  reflected  on  his  efficiency  as  a 
leader,  and  exclaimed  aloud,  "  All  persons  are  not  such  good 
recruiting  sergeants  as  you  are." 

This  drew  the  attention  of  the  meeting ;  and  some,  who 
had  been  troubled  upon  the  subject  in  their  own  case,  were 
aroused ;  and,  lest  he  should  come  down  upon  them  once 
more,  several  eloquent  speeches  were  made,  with  convincing 
arguments,  showing  why  he  was  more  successful  than  them- 
selves. One  very  strong  reason  was  suggested,  "  That  he 
had  a  talent  peculiar  to  himself ;  and  that  neither  God  nor 
reasonable  men  would  require  them  to  do  what  he  did." 

For  some  time  he  endeavored  to  prove  that  they  were 
wrong,  but  to  no  purpose  ;  at  length  he  could  keep  his  seat 
no  longer,  and  claimed  the  floor  for  a  few  minutes. 

"  Brethren,"  he  said,  "  let  us  look  at  and  inspect  this  man 
of  '  peculiar  talent,'  and  see  how  or  wherein  he  difiers  from, 
or  has  advantages  over,  the  leaders  of  this  meeting. 

"  First :  Is  it  in  his  riches  ?  No  ;  he  is  as  poor  a  man  as 
any  among  you.     Then  it  is  not  in  his  wealth. 

"  Second  :  Is  it  in  his  influence^  flowing  from  high  connec- 
tions, or  having  been  born  and  bred  in  your  city  ?  No  ;  he 
has  no  natural  relations  here  ;  and,  moreover,  he  is  a  stran- 
ger from  the  north  of  Ireland  ;  who,  after  being  worn  out  in 
the  army,  came  to  your  city  with  a  shattered  constitution. 
Therefore  it  is  not  in  his  connections  nor  in  his  health. 

"  Third :  Is  it  in  his  heauty  ?  No  ;  he  is  as  course  a  look- 
ing man  as  any  of  you. 


178  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

"  Fourth :  Is  it  ia  his  learning  f  No  ;  for  he  has  never 
been  at  school  to  learn  to  read  or  write  ;  but  he  has  good 
reason  to  suppose  many  of  you  have  been  favored  with 
expensive  educations.  Here  you  have  the  advantage  of 
him. 

"  Fifth :  Is  it  in  being  master  of  his  time  that  enables  him 
to  do  what  you  suppose  yourselves  incapable  of  doing  ?  No ; 
he  must  attend  to  his  business  from  six  in  the  morning  till 
seven  or  eight  in  the  evening,  and  he  has  no  time  to  visit 
till  late  at  night.     Here  he  stands  on  no  vantage  ground. 

"  Sixth  :  Does  his  success  arise  from  his  eloquence  ?  No ; 
for  want  of  learning  he  has  barely  words  to  express  his  ideas. 
Here  he  is  inferior  to  his  brethren. 

"■  Seventh :  Is  it  his  talents  that  do  the  work  ?  No  ;  he 
has  just  one  talent ;  and  as  I  hope  you  are  all  converted  men, 
you  have,  at  least,  one  also ;  for  as  God  commands  every 
soul  he  converts  to  '  go  work  in  my  vineyard,'  and  always 
gives  them  a  talent  to  occupy  till  their  Lord  calls  them  to  an 
account,  blessed  be  God,  he  has  given  me  one  also.  Neither 
in  this  has  he  any  advantage. 

"  Eighth  :  Well,  is  it  in  his  holiness  f  No  ;  it  would  be 
pride  to  suppose  he  has  as  much  grace  as  most  of  you. 

*' But,  notwithstanding,  there  is  a  great  difference  between 
him  and  you  ;  will  you  allow  me  to  tell  you  wherein  it  Hes  ? 

"  Well,  when  you  are  toasting  yourselves  at  your  parlor 
fires  on  winter  nights,  or  indolently  lounging  at  home 
on  summer  evenings,  he  is  scampering  from  Blackpool  to 
Evergreen,  from  the  Custom  House  to  Dyke  Gate,  from 
north  to  south,  from  east  to  west  of  the  city ;  in  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night,  in  all  weathers,  —  hail,  rain,  wind,  or 
snow ;  from  cellar  to  garret,  to  rich  and  to  poor,  to  see  who 
he  can  get  to  lend  an  ear  to  his  counsels.  He  patiently 
listens  to  their  complaints,  he  has  a  shoulder  for  all  their 


VISIT   TO   CORK.  179 

crosses,  he  lets  them  feel  he  loves  them  by  taking  a  kind 
interest  in  what  concerns  them,  and  gives  the  best  advice  he 
can  for  both  worlds  ;  in  this  way  he  convinces  them  of  his 
disinterested  love,  he  gains  influence,  he  prevails  upon  them 
to  attend  the  preaching  of  God's  word,  to  read  it  at  home, 
and  pray  for  the  Holy  Spirit.  By  these  means  they  are 
brought  under  a  concern  for  their  souls ;  he  gets  them  into 
his  classes,  and  they  are  soon  converted  to  God.  This  is 
the  way,  my  brethren,  he  fills  his  ranks,  and  his  classes  over- 
flow. Has  he  made  a  secret  of  his  plans  ?  Has  he  not  over 
and  over  again  urged  you  to  adopt  the  same  measures,  in- 
sisting that  equal  causes  will  produce  equal  effects  the  world 
over  ?  and  he  now,  in  the  name  of  God,  humbly  presses  the 
same  upon  your  consciences.  If  you  will  go  and  do  hkewise, 
the  same  results  will  surely  follow.  It  is  not  in  the  man, 
but  in  the  manner  in  which  his  talent  is  occupied.'* 

All  the  leaders  dropped  their  heads  and  were  silent,  with 
the  exception  of  one  very  clever  local  preacher,  whose  feel- 
ings were  not  unlike  young  Ehhu's,  when  he  saw  that  Job 
had  confounded  his  three  counsellors,  Eliphaz,  Bildad,  and 
Zophar,  and  said,  "  Behold,  there  was  none  of  you  that  con- 
vinced Job,  or  that  answered  his  words.  Now  he  hath  not 
directed  his  words  against  me ;  neither  will  I  answer  him 
with  your  speeches.  They  were  amazed,  they  answered  no 
more ;  they  left  off"  speaking.  When  I  had  waited,  (for 
they  spake  not,  but  stood  still,  and  answered  no  more  ;)  I 
said,  I  will  answer  also  my  part,  I  will  also  shew  mine  opinion. 
For  I  am  full  of  matter,  the  spirit  within  me  constraineth  me. 
Behold,  my  belly  is  as  wine  which  hath  no  vent ;  it  is  ready 
to  burst  like  new  bottles.  I  will  speak,  that  I  may  be 
refreshed  :  I  will  open  my  Ups  and  answer."  Job  xxxii. 
12  —  20. 

Thus  it  was,  probably,  with  this  good  brother,     He  threw 


180  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

his  soul  into  it,  and  reasoned  powerfully.  Men  •will  make 
speeches,  lay  down  rules,  and  discuss  principles ;  yea,  do 
any  thing  and  everything  but  the  "  real  matter-of-fact  work ;" 
hard,  patient,  steady,  humiliating,  and  painful  drudgery  of 
saving  souls  from  hell ;  in  the  shop,  as  in  the  parlor ;  in  the 
cellar,  garret,  street,  or  field,  as  in  the  house  of  God.  When 
he  had  refreshed  himself  the  venerable  man  rose  and  asked 
the  brother,  "  Don't  you  keep  a  shop  ?" 

"  I  do,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Well,  suppose  I  could  tell  you  of  an  article,  by  dealing 
in  which,  on  fair  and  honest  principles,  you  could  clear  five 
hundred  pounds  per  annum,  would  you  not  come  to  me  to 
learn  the  secret?" 

"I  would." 

"  I  believe  you ;  and  what  does  tliis  prove  in  your  case, 
but  that  you  love  money  better  than  the  souls  bought  with 
Jesus  Christ's  most  precious  blood,  else  you  would  have  come 
to  me  to  learn  this  wonderful  charm  you  conceive  I  possess 
for  converting  souls." 

The  person  who  related  the  above,  concluded  by  remark- 
ing :  "  That  local  preacher  entered  eternity  soon  after,  and  he 
now  knows  whether  he  won  as  many  souls  for  Christ  as  was 
possible  in  his  state  of  probation." 

Conversing  with  this  ^'  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,"  the 
other  day,  he  remarked,  ''Once,  only,  these  thirty-two  years 
have  I  been  obliged  to  part  with  one  from  my  class,  whom  I 
thought  a  true  penitent,  without  obtaining  pardon;"  adding, 
"  I  let  not  a  penitent  rest  tiU  he  has  obtained  this  blessing, 
for  the  following  reasons :  — 

"  First :  It  would  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  Second :  It  would  prove  my  want  of  love  to  souls,  and 
faith  in  the  truth  and  power  of  God.  The  Samaritan  not 
only  touched  the  man  who  had  been  robbed  and  wounded 


VISIT  TO   CORK.  181 

by  the  thieves,  and  left  half  dead,  but,  after  binding  up  his 
wounds,  he  Ufted  him  on  his  beast,  and  brought  him  to 
safe  lodgings. 

''  Third :  It  would  give  Satan  many  advantages  in  per- 
plexing and  distracting  the  mind. 

"  Fourth  :  It  would  set  a  bad  example  to  all  who  may  be 
present,  as  well  as  to  those  who  should  hear  of  the  circum- 
stance. 

"  Fifth :  It  would  tend  to  weaken  my  own  faith ;  but  I 
want  it  strengthened  both  in  myself  and  others. 

"  Sixth  :  As  unbelief  is  the  awful,  damning  sin  under  the 
gospel,  he  who  can  be  the  means  of  accelerating  its  destruc- 
tion in  the  heart  of  another,  and  does  not ;  neither  loves  his 
neighbor  as  he  ought,  nor  is  he  a  loyal  subject  of  his  heaven- 
ly King ;  nor  ought  he  to  be  very  confident  of  his  own  adop- 
tion into  the  family  of  God." 

I  know  you  will  excuse  me  for  writing  so  much  about  this 
dear  man ;  I  love  him,  and  have  derived  much  benefit  to  my 
own  soul  from  his  conversation. 

The  9th  instant  was  my  birth-day.  As  usual,  I  observed 
the  8th  as  a  private  watch-night,  and  had  a  most  solemn  time 
in  dedicating  myself  anew  to  God.  A  review  of  the  past 
year  was  attended  with  deep  humiliation  and  gratitude. 
Since  then  I  have  enjoyed  more  abiding  peace,  and  sweeter 
communion  with  my  heavenly  Father,  than  at  any  time  since 
my  arrival  in  Ireland.  About  thirty  sinners  have  been  con- 
verted. I  wish  I  could  have  stated  a  larger  number.  My 
soul  is  much  humbled.  We  are  resolved,  by  the  help  of  God, 
to  push  our  principles  to  the  utmost  for  an  extensive  revival. 
Hammer  on  a  rock  long  enough,  audit  must  break  in  pieces. 
This  is  true,  to  some  extent,  with  mind.  God's  word  is  as  a 
hammer  to  break  the  rocky  hearts  in  pieces  before  the  Lord. 
16 


182  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

I  met  with  the  follomng  sentiments  of  an  old  writer,  the 
other  day :  "  Men  will  wrangle  for  religion  ;  write  for  it ; 
fight  for  it ;  die  for  it ;  any  thing  but  hve  for  it."  I  can 
say,  in  behalf  of  the  preachers  and  leaders  in  Cork,  that  they 
seem  not  only  willing  to  fight  with  spiritual  weapons  for  a 
revival,  to  die,  if  it  be  God's  will,  in  the  tremendous  conflict, 
but  to  live  for  a  revival  in  the  most  spiritual  sense  of  that 
term.  I  do  believe,  with  my  whole  soul,  God  will  not  dis- 
appoint them. 

In  a  letter  dated  May  9,  1842,  we  find  a  continuance  of 
his  descriptions  of  the  work  of  God  and  of  his  personal  move- 
ments while  he  remained  in  Cork.     He  there  says  ;  — 

I  have  been  in  this  city  nearly  tw^o  months,  engaged  in 
my  beloved  work  of  calhng  sinners  to  repentance.  As  I 
take  exercise  every  day,  for  an  hour  or  two,  either  in  riding 
or  walking,  an  opportunity  has  been  afforded  me  for  making 
a  few  observations  which  may  perhaps  gratify  and  amuse 
you.  Cork  is  seated  on  the  river  Lee,  about  fifteen  miles 
from  the  ocean;  is  the  capital  of  the  county  bearing  the 
same  name,  and  the  second  city  in  the  kingdom.  It  has 
long  been  considered  "  the  metropolis,  and  the  grand  em- 
porium "  of  the  south  of  Ireland.  The  ancient  city  origin- 
ally covered  an  island,  formed  by  two  branches  of  the  Lee, 
which  divided  above  and  joined  again  below  the  island. 
Spenser,  in  his  "  Faerie  Queene,"  describes  it  thus, — 

"  The  spreading  Lee,  that  like  an  island  fair 
Encloseth  Cork  with  his  divided  flood." 

The  united  Lee  and  the  salt  water  mix  below  the  city  and 
form  a  commodious  harbor.  Ancient  Cork  partook  of  the 
shape  of  the  island,  which  resembled  an  egg.  It  was  walled 
and  fortified  by  the  Danes,  about  the  middle  of  the  ninth 


VISIT  TO   CORK.  183 

century,  but  in  consequence  of  the  loTvness  of  its  position, 
could  never  have  been  a  place  of  much  strength. 

Modern  Cork  has  spread  herself  over  a  cluster  of  little 
marshy  islands,  separated  by  small  branches  of  the  river. 
The  channels,   however,   are   now  arched  over,  and  -wide 
streets  occupy  their  places.     The  two  main  branches  which 
encompass  the  city  are  still  open,  and  are  called  the  north 
and  south  channels,  and  afford  a  fine  harbor  for  the  shipping. 
I  understand  there  is  a  resemblance,  in  this  respect,  between 
Cork  and  most  of  the  cities  in  Holland.     Although  its  posi- 
tion seems  to  be  unfavorable  to  health,  I  am  not  aware  that 
it  is  any  more  unhealthy  than  other  cities  in  Ireland.     Many 
years  ago  it  was  visited  by  severe*  epidemics,  but  in  conse- 
quence of  valuable  improvements,  such  as  arching  the  vari- 
ous canals,  and  raising,  though  at  an  immense  expense,  vast 
portions  of  the  marshy  ground,  such  visitations  have  been 
rare  for  many  years.     Besides,  the  tides  of  the  ocean  have 
free  access,  daily,  through  all  these  covered  channels.     Their 
ebbs  and  flows,  together  with  the  current  of  a  swift  river, 
give  such  a  brisk  circulation  of  pure  water  through  these 
concealed  arteries  and  veins  as  keep  them  perfectly  clean. 
Were  it  not  for  the   cleanhness  of  Cork,  (I  speak  of  its 
covered  channels  and  sewers  of  different  kinds,  for  some  of 
the  streets   are  very  narrow  and   dirty,  especially  in  the 
ancient  part  of  the  city,)  I  should  judge  it  could  not  escape 
epidemics.     The  marshy  ground  upon  which  it  is  built,  the 
heavy  fogs  which  settle  upon  it,  and  the  immense  quantities 
of  rain  which  descend  in  the  course  of  a  year,  not  less,  I  am 
informed,  than  an  average  of  thirty-eight  inches,  would  lead 
a  stranger  to  this  conclusion.     Since  my  arrival  I  have  had 
excellent  health  ;  but,  could  you  see  the  elevated  and  lovely 
spot  where  I  reside,  and  which  I  am  requested,  by  the  most 
convincing  and  substantial  forms  of  Irish  hospitality,  to  call 


184  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

my  home,  and  the  beautiful  prospects  spread  around  me  on 
every  side,  with  elegant  grounds,  and  Avalks  shaded  with  lofty- 
trees, — 

"  Where  meditation 
Might  tliink  down  hours  to  minutes,  where  the 
Heart  might  give  a  useful  lesson  to  the  head, 
And  learning,  wiser  grow,  without  her  books," — 

you  would  not  wonder  that  I  enjoy  the  "  full  tide  of  health," 
and  of  what  the  world  calls  "  good  spirits."  So  much  for 
"  Hayfield  ;"  but  it  is  in  the  pleasant  society  of  Mr.  Perrot's 
excellent  and  inteUigent  family  I  enjoy  that  which,  "  Whilst 
by  numbers  sought,  is  realized  by  few," — real  happiness. 
There  is  just  one  drawback,  and  it  belongs  to  all  things  of 
an  earthly  nature,  I  must  soon  bid  these  pleasant  scenes 
farewell ;  and  once  more  "  a  stranger  stand,  unknowing  and 
unknown ;"  so  that  the  sentiment  can  only  be  realized  in 
heaven,  "  A  perpetuity  of  bliss,  is  bHss."  I  know  these 
items  of  my  personal  comforts  will  not  be  uninteresting  to 
you ;  and  I  would  add  another,  which  an  excellent  author 
says  is  "'  a  main  article  of  human  happiness, — the  exercise 
of  our  faculties,  whether  of  body  or  mind,  in  the  pursuit  of 
some  engaging  end."  What  that  "  engaging  end "  is, 
which  absorbs  my  whole  being,  you  very  well  know, —  the 
conversion  of  sinners  to  God. 

As  I  have  digressed  so  far,  allow  me  to  tell  you  something 
better  than  all.  My  soul  enjoys  deep  and  almost  uninter- 
rupted communion  with  God.  This  throws  a  brightening 
charm  upon  every  thing  around  me,  and  imparts  a  rehsh  for 
all  that  is  beautiful  and  grand  in  the  works  of  nature  and 
art,  or  whatever  is  engaging  and  pleasant  in  human  society. 
For,  as  Bishop  Home  says,  "  He  who  hath  his  thoughts 
about  him,  can  enjoy  no  bodily  pleasure  while  he  thinks  his 
soul  is  in  danger  of  hell-fire  ;  but  the  reflection,  that  all  is 


VISIT  TO   CORK.  185 

right  -with  respect  to  another  world,  doubles  every  joy  that 
he  can  taste  in  this." 

"  The  mind  that  feels  no  smart, 
Enlivens  all  it  sees." 

But  I  have  more  glorious  news  to  tell  you ;  the  revival  is 
still  going  forward  with  power.  Yesterday,  (Sabbath,)  a 
glorious  day !  ten  converted  and  two  backshders  restored ; 
one  of  the  latter  had  wandered  from  God  sixteen  years,  the 
other  seven. 

I  think  it  scarcely  necessary  to  occupy  your  time  with  a 
description  of  the  public  buildings,  and  other  interesting 
objects  of  this  kind,  as  they  are  so  similar  to  those  which  are 
pecuhar  to  all  large  and  commercial  cities.  The  Cathedral 
is  respectable,  but  not  ancient.  There  are  also  several 
handsome  parish  churches.  I  thmk  the  St.  Ann's,  Shandon, 
has  a  more  imposing  aspect  than  the  Cathedral.  It  has  a 
tower  one  hundred  and  seventy  feet  high,  two  sides  of  which 
are  hmestone,  and  two  of  brown  stone,  which  give  it  a  sin- 
gular appearance ;  and  a  good  chime  of  bells,  as  you  may 
learn  from  an  old  Cork  poet,  in  exile : 

With  deep  affection, 
And  recollection, 
I  often  think  on 

Those  Shandon  bells ; 
Whose  sound  so  wild,  wovild 
In  days  of  childhood. 
Fling  round  my  cradle 

Their  magic  spells. 

On  this  I  ponder. 
Where'er  I  wander, 
And  thus  grow  fonder 

Sweet  Cork,  of  thee  ; 
With  thy  bells  of  Shandon, 
That  sound  so  grand  on 
The  pleasant  waters 

Of  the  river  Lee, 

16* 


186  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

There  are  also  the  usual  nuniber  of  churches  belonging  to 
the  existing  denominations  of  Christendom.  The  Roman 
CathoHcs  are  the  most  numerous.  The  Wesleyan  Metho- 
dists have  another  handsome  chapel,  besides  the  one  I  have 
already  described,  but  much  smaller. 

I  have  not  ascertained  the  exact  population  of  Cork,  but  I 
should  judge  it  nearly  twice  as  large  as  that  of  the  city  of 
Albany,  N.  Y. ;  and  the  population  of  Limerick  double  that 
of  Troy,  N.  Y.  Are  you  aware  that  a  tomb  in  this  city  con- 
tains the  dust  of  our  beloved  Boardman  ?  I  say  our  Board- 
man,  because  his  name  shall  be  for  ever  identified  with 
American  Methodism.  Upon  an  early  and  prominent  page 
of  the  history  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  enshrined, 
among  a  few  others,  the  name  of  Richard  Boardman.  It  is 
also  recognized  by  hundreds  of  thousands  in  our  book  of  dis- 
cipline. He  died  in  Cork,  A.  D.  1783.  On  referring  to 
the  minutes  of  the  English  Conference  for  1769,  which  was 
that  year  held  in  Leeds,  Yorkshire,  I  find  the  following 
record.     Mr.  Wesley  proposed  the  question  :  — 

"  We  have  a  pressing  call  from  our  brethren  m  New  York, 
(who  have  built  a  preaching-house,)  to  come  over  and  help 
them.     Who  is  willing  to  go  ? 

"  Answer:  Richard  Boardman  and  Joseph  Pilmoor." 

These  were  the  first  regular  Methodist  preachers  in  Amer- 
ica. Mr.  Boardman  remained  long  enough  in  the  western 
world  to  have  his  ministry  blessed  to  many  thousands ;  but 
the  revolutionary  war  breaking  out,  circumstances  obliged 
him  to  sail  for  England,  and  he  never  returned.  Mr.  Wes- 
ley appointed  him  to  this  city  in  1782.  The  following 
account  of  his  death  I  extract  from  the  Methodist  Magazine 
for  1783  :  — 

"  On  the  29th  September,  1782,  Mr.  Richard  Boardman, 
having  been  about  eleven  days  in  Cork,  when  walking,  was 


VISIT   TO    CORK.  187 

suddenly  struck  blind,  so  that  he  could  not  find  his  way,  till 
one  of  oux'  friends  met  him  and  took  him  by  the  hand.  Soon 
after,  he  recovered  himself,  and  sat  down  to  dinner.  Upon 
doing  so  he  was  immediately  deprived  both  of  speech  and 
understanding,  one  of  his  sides  being  at  the  same  time 
strongly  contracted.  After  a  few  hours  he  became  nearly 
well ;  in  a  few  days  perfectly  so.  His  mind  was  calm  and 
serene  ;  no  anxiety  about  life  or  death.  A  few  days  before, 
on  leaving  Limerick,  he  told  Mrs.  B.  that  he  should  die  in 
Cork  ;  but  he  spoke  it  without  the  least  concern,  as  knowing 
in  whom  he  had  believed.  He  preached  twice  after  receiv- 
ing the  shock.  The  Sabbath  previous  to  his  first  intimation 
of  his  call,  he  preached  from,  '  Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will 
I  trust  in  him  ;'  and  it  was  a  solemn  meeting.  On  Friday 
morning  he  appeared  easy,  and  met  the  people  at  the  hour 
of  intercession,  when  it  was  observed  that  he  had  an  uncom- 
mon degree  of  freedom  and  power  with  God.  He  prayed 
fervently  for  the  people,  and  begged  that  if  this  was  the  last 
meeting  in  this  w^orld,  they  might  have  a  happy  meeting  in 
the  realms  of  light. 

"  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  he  went  to  dine 
with  a  friend  in  Blarney  lane.  As  he  was  walking,  his  wife 
observed  him  to  falter  in  his  speech,  and  desired  him  to 
return,  but  he  would  not  comply.  As  soon  as  he  came  into 
the  house  he  sunk  down  insensible.  He  was  brought  home 
in  a  carriage,  and  two  physicians  were  sent  for.  They  both 
declared  him  beyond  help.  He  continued  thus  till  nine  in 
the  evening.  He  then  expired  in  the  arms  of  two  of  his 
brethren,  and  in  the  presence  of  many  who  commended  him 
to  God,  with  sorrowful  hearts  and  weeping  eyes.  His  funeral 
sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Yewdall,  from  Revelation  xiv. 
13,  to  as  large  a  congregation  as  had  ever  been  seen  in  the 
Cork  chapel." 


188  VISIT  TO   CORK. 

A  few  days  ago  a  young  brother  conducted  me  to  his 
grave,  which  is  near  to  the  Cathedral.  I  cannot  well  ex- 
press to  you  my  sensations  on  beholding  it.  We  knelt  down 
upon  the  stone,  and  worshipped  God.  AVith  deep  emotion  I 
exclaimed,  "  What  hath  God  wrought "  in  America  since 
precious  Boardman  visited  those  shores  !  Then,  there  were 
not  more  than  two  hundred  members  in  our  societies,  on  the 
entire  continent ;  now,  in  the  United  States  alone,  we  have 
nearly  one  million  of  members !  After  prayer,  I  copied  the 
following  from  the  plain  slab  which  covers  his  dust : — 

RICHARD  BOARDMAN, 

Departed  this  life  October  4th,  1782, 
JEiads  44. 

Beneath  this  stone,  the  dust  of  Boardman  lies, 
His  precious  soul  has  soared  above  the  skies  ; 
With  eloquence  divine,  he  preached  the  word 
To  multitudes,  and  turned  them  to  the  Lord. 
His  bright  example  strengthened  what  he  taught, 
And  devils  trembled  Avhen  for  Christ  he  fought. 
With  truly  Christian  zeal  he  nations  fired. 
And  all  who  knew  him  mourned  when  he  expired. 

Perhaps  the  following  remarkable  interposition  of  Divine 
Providence,  in  behalf  of  this  man  of  God,  might  be  interest- 
ing to  you.  It  was  related  by  himself,  a  short  time  before 
his  death : — 

"  I  preached,"  said  Mr.  B.,  "  one  evening,  at  Mould,  in 
Flintshire,  and  next  morning  set  out  for  Parkgate.  After 
riding  some  miles  I  asked  a  man  if  I  was  on  the  road  to  that 
place.  He  answered, '  Yes,  but  you  will  have  some  sands  to 
go  over,  and  unless  you  ride  fast,  you  will  be  in  danger  of 
being  inclosed  by  the  tide.' 

"  It  then  began  to  snow  to  such  a  degree  that  I  could 
scarcely  see  a  step  of  my  way,  and  my  mare  being  with  foal 


VISIT  TO   CORK.  189 

prevented  me  from  riding  so  fast  as  I  otherwise  should  have 
done.  I  got  to  the  sands,  and  pursued  my  journey  over 
them  for  some  time ;  but  the  tide  then  came  in,  and  sur- 
rounded me  on  every  side,  so  that  I  could  neither  proceed 
nor  turn  back  ;  and  to  ascend  the  perpendicular  rocks  was 
impossible.  In  this  situation  I  commended  my  soul  to  God, 
not  having  the  least  expectation  of  escaping  death.  In  a 
little  time  I  perceived  two  men  running  do-\vn  a  hill  on  the 
other  side  of  the  water,  and  by  some  means  they  got  a  boat, 
and  came  to  my  reUef  just  as  the  sea  had  reached  my  knees, 
as  I  sat  on  my  saddle.  They  took  me  into  the  boat,  the 
mare  swimming  by  our  side,  till  we  reached  the  land.  While 
we  were  in  the  boat,  one  of  the  men  said,  '  Surely,  Sir,  God 
is  with  you.' 

"  I  answered,  *  I  trust  he  is.' 

"  The  man  replied,  '  I  know  he  is  ;'  and  then  related  the 
following  circumstance  :  '  Last  night  I  dreamed  that  I  must 
go  to  the  top  of  such  a  hill.  When  I  awoke  the  dream  made 
such  an  impression  on  my  mind  that  I  could  not  rest.  I 
therefore  went  and  called  upon  this  man  to  accompany  me. 
When  we  came  to  the  place,  we  saw  nothing  more  than  usual. 
However,  I  begged  him  to  go  with  me  to  another  hill  at  a 
small  distance,  and  there  we  saw  your  distressed  situation.' 
When  we  got  ashore,  I  went  with  my  two  friends  to  a  pubhc 
house,  not  far  distant  from  where  we  landed ;  and,  as  we 
were  relating  the  wonderful  providence,  the  landlady  said, 
'  This  day  month  we  saw  a  gentleman  just  in  your  situation  ; 
but  before  we  could  hasten  to  his  relief  he  plunged  into  the 
sea,  supposing,  as  we  concluded,  that  his  horse  would  swim  to 
the  shore  ;  but  they  both  sank,  and  were  drowned  together.' 

''  I  gave  my  deliverers  all  the  money  I  had,  which  I  think 
was  about  eightcenpence,  and  tarried  all  night  at  the  hotel. 
Next  morning  I  was  not  a  little  embarrassed  how  to  pay  my 


190  VISIT  TO   CORK. 

reckoning,  for  the  want  of  cash,  and  begged  that  the  land- 
lord would  keep  a  pair  of  silver  spurs  till  I  should  redeem 
them  ;  but  he  answered,  '  The  Lord  bless  you,.  Sir  !  I  would 
not  take  a  farthing  from  you  for  the  world.*  After  some 
serious  conversation  with  the  friendly  people,  I  bade  them 
farewell,  and  re-commenced  my  journey,  rejoicing  in  the 
Lord,  and  praising  him  for  his  great  salvation." 

On  the  20  th  ult.  a  party  of  us  visited  the  famous  Blarney 
Castle.  It  stands  in  a  pleasant  vale,  on  the  banks  of  a  little 
river  of  the  same  name,  five  miles  from  Cork.  A  square 
tower,  one  hundred  feet  in  front,  fifty  in  breadth,  and  one 
hundred  and  thirty  feet  high,  is  all  that  remains  of  this  once 
flourishing  castle,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  castellated 
battery  close  by.  A  singular  awe  crept  over  my  mind  on 
first  beholding  it  from  a  neighboring  eminence.  It  stands 
alone,  surrounded  with  ancient  trees,  but  rising  far  above 
them,  frowning  upon  their  aspiring  branches,  as  if  haughtily 
demanding  the  respectful  homage  of  other  days,  when  favored 
with  the  radiant  smiles  of  fortune.  The  storms  of  four  cen- 
turies have  made  little  impression  upon  its  aspect,  other  than 
those  hoary  hues  which  the  Scriptures  say  are  a  crown  of 
glory  to  an  aged  man,  when  found  in  the  ways  of  righteous- 
ness. One  feels  willing,  when  approaching  its  peaceful  ram- 
parts, to  award  such  a  tribute  of  respectful  veneration  to 
Blarney  Castle.  The  sound  of  the  bugle  and  clash  of  arms 
are  heard  here  no  more.  Royalty  and  grandeur  have  long 
since  fled  away.  The  stir  and  din  of  multitudes  have  sub- 
sided into  the  stillness  of  death.  No  sentinel  challenges 
your  approaching  footsteps.  All  is  deep,  dread,  unbroken 
solitude : — 

"  Not  a  sound,  save  nature's  own, 
Could  o'er  the  silence  swell, 
To  jar  the  chords  of  quiet  thought, 
Or  break  seclusion's  spell." 


VISIT  TO   CORK.  191 

It  is  built,  like  most  of  the  castles  in  this  country,  upon  a  rock. 
The  cliffs  facing  the  river  rise  about  fifty  feet.  The  opposite 
side  of  the  castle  is  on  a  level,  in  its  lower  story,  with  an  exten- 
sive law^n  or  meadow  sprinkled  with  fine  trees.  We  ascended 
to  the  top  by  a  spiral  stone  staircase,  of  the  same  workman- 
ship as  those  near  Limerick.  It  is  roofless  and  floorless  ;  but 
there  is  a  substantial  promenade  on  the  top,  mside  the  para- 
pet, which  widens  towards  the  south  and  east,  by  means  of 
machicolated  parapets.  These  rest  upon  projecting  corbells, 
having  openings  or  crenells  at  proper  distances,  through 
which,  I  have  been  told,  in  former  days  of  hazard  and  blood, 
they  poured  down  melted  lead,  and  other  destructive  mate- 
rials, upon  the  unfortunate  heads  of  the  besiegers.  The 
prospect  from  the  top  is  very  good  ;  but,  considering  the 
length  of  my  letter,  you  will  excuse  the  omission  of  a  descrip- 
tion. I  w^as  interested  with  the  various  windings  of  three 
small  streams,  neighboring  the  castle  ;  Blarney,  Cormane, 
and  Scorthenac.  The  celebrated  "  Blarney  stone "  was 
pointed  out  to  us.  You  have  often  heard  of  the  suspicious 
phrase,  "  A  little  blarney."  This  phrase  originated  from 
some  legend  belonging  to  this  Blarney  stone.  It  is  currently 
reported  here,  and  the  reputed  facts  of  the  case  have  circu- 
lated from  father  to  son,  through  many  generations,  that 
who  ever  kisses  it  will  always  have  a  flattering,  cajoling 
tongue  ;  from  that  moment  he  is  enabled  to  tell  the  smooth- 
est and  most  insinuating  lies  mthout  a  blush !  Now  "  don't 
be  after  putting  on"  that  look  of  incredulity,  so  peculiar  to 
American  unbehevers,  and  w^hich  has  frightened  many  a  poor 
Irishman  among  you  out  of  half  his  story.  But  you  must 
hear  an  Irish  poet,  by  some  called  the  "  MeUifluent  Milhkin," 
describe  its  wonder-working  properties :  — 

"  There  is  a  stone  there,  who  ever  kisses, 
Oh  I  he  never  misses  to  grow  eloquent ; 


192  VISIT   TO    CORK. 

'Tis  he  may  clamber    *    ^    *    *    * 
Or  become  a  member  of  Parliament. 
A  clever  spouter,  he'll  sure  turn  out,  or 
An  out  and  outer,  to  be  let  alone  ; 
Don't  hope  to  hinder  him,  or  bewilder  him  ; 
Sure  he's  a  pilgrim  to  the  Blaniey  stone." 

Anotlier  writer  tells  us,  in  plain  unvarnished  prose,  that  the 
touch  of  this  stone  "  makes  a  liar  of  the  first  magnitude  ;  at 
the  same  time,  a  smooth  graceful  liar ;"  that  "  its  eminent 
perfection  is  a  sweet  persuasive  language,  than  can  whisper 
the  softest  words  into  the  ears  of  those  who  are  to  be  de- 
ceived ;  full  of  guile  and  blandishment,  and  potential  flattery, 

and  uncontrollable   suasion   over  the   credulity   of  ." 

This  stone  I  saw,  if  our  guide  were  correct ;  but  I  assure 
you  my  lips  were  not  within  a  yard  of  it.  It  is  recorded 
that  Sir  Walter  Scott  made  a  pilgrimage  to  it,  in  August, 
1825,  in  company  with  some  others,  and  that  he  passed 
through  the  ceremony  of  kissing  it.         *  *  * 

I  write  by  the  present  packet  to  my  Conference.  My 
desire  is  to  continue  my  tour.  Nearly  two  years  have 
expired  since  its  commencement.  It  is  doubtful  whether  I 
shall  return  before  1844.  My  letter  contains  a  request  for 
a  "  location,"  according  to  the  discipline  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  I  have  asked  for  such  a  relation,  con- 
scientiously, that  I  may  not  infringe  upon  any  of  the  rights 
of  the  Members  of  Conference.  By  their  approbation  I  have 
continued  my  tour  till  now.  Last  year  I  sent  them  the  cer- 
tificate of  my  ministerial  character  from  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Society,  Montreal ;  and  this 
year  I  send  another  from  a  similar  meeting  of  the  same  body 
in  Cork.  Should  they  grant  me  a  location,  it  separates  me 
from  any  future  claims  upon  the  funds  of  the  church ;  that 
is,  should  my  health  fail,  or  any  unforeseen  difficulty  arise  in 
my  temporal  affairs,  before  I  rejoin  the  itinerant  ranks  ;  but 


VISIT   TO    CORK.  193 

it  secures  me  till  then,  or  through  life,  the  office  of  an 
ordained  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
America ;  I  mean  so  long  as  mj  character  is  becoming  a 
minister  of  the  gospel.  I  shall  then  have  the  privilege  of 
continuing  my  tour  without  embarrassment.* 

We  find  that  upwards  of  a  hundred  sinners  have  been 
converted  to  God  since  the  revival  began.  The  "  signs  of 
the  times  '*  are  glorious  in  Cork.  I  am  quite  uncertain  as 
to  the  period  of  my  departure  ;  we  want  several  hundred 
sinners  to  be  converted  first. 


*  Mr.  Caughey's  request  for  a  location  was  cheerfully  granted,  and  a  certi- 
ficate from  Bishop  Hedding,  bearing  the  date  of  July  9,  1842,  duly  forwarded 
to  him. 


17 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

EXPERIENCES   AND   INCIDENTS    IN    CORK   AND    BANDON. 

This  chapter  is  a  medley.  It  treats  of  a  great  variety 
of  topics.  The  two  cases  of  restitution  it  records  are  re- 
markable illustrations  of  Mr.  Caughey's  power  of  moving  the 
conscience.  Perhaps  in  no  one  feature  is  his  power  so 
marked  as  in  this.  No  unpardoned  sinner  can  avoid  a  sense  of 
guilt  under  his  appeals :  hence  the  many  examples  of  resti- 
tution and  of  complaints  from  sinners,  that  some  one  had  told 
him  their  histories. 

Bandon  yielded  less  fruit  to  Mr.  Caughey's  labors  than 
any  other  place  he  visited  while  in  Europe.  It  was  indeed 
a  stronghold  of  the  Enemy,  which  would  not  yield  very  much 
to  his  "revival  artillery."  Yet  even  there,  some  were  "  slain 
of  the  Lord."  Possibly  a  restraint  on  his  success  was  as 
needful  to  Mr.  Caughey  as  the  thorn  in  the  flesh  was  to 
Paul — it  confirmed  him  in  his  well  cultured  principle  of 
the  necessity  of  divine  aid  to  ministerial  success. 

The  opening  paragraphs  are  extracted  from  a  letter  to  his 
sister  in  America,  and  contain  an  account  of  his  closing 
labors  in  Cork,  and  of  the  incident  which  determined  him  to 
visit  Bandon. 

My  work  is  nearly  finished  in  Cork.  It  gives  me  great 
satisfaction  to  find  God's  dear  people  so  generally  convinced 

194 


CORK   AND     BANDON.  195 

that  this  is  a  real  revival  of  religion.  I  should  have  left  two 
or  three  weeks  since,  but  their  entreaties  to  remain  a  little 
longer  have  been  overpowering.  Awakened  sinners,  too, 
have  taken  the  alarm,  and  the  general  cry  has  been,  "  Surely 
he  will  not  leave  us  when  he  finds  himself  encompassed  by 
such  a  crowd  of  penitent  souls."  I  cannot  express  the  Sen- 
sations which  have  swept  over  my  soul  in  beholding  the  large 
communion  filled  every  night  with  seekers  of  salvation. 
Their  tears  and  sobs,  and  subdued  cries  for  mercy,  have 
been  sometimes  profoundly  awful.  You  will,  no  doubt,  be 
anxious  to  know  the  number  of  these  trophies  of  Divine 
Love.  I  cannot  state  precisely  the  number  of  persons  con- 
verted to  God.  We  had  a  meeting  for  this  purpose  three 
weeks  ago,  and  nearly  two  hundred  of  them  present ;  there 
were  many  others,  but  they  were  unable  to  attend  that  par- 
ticular meeting,  and  we  have  not  had  a  similar  one  since. 
The  work  is  still  advancing  with  increasing  power.  A  short 
account  of  the  above  select  meeting  may  be  interesting  to  you. 
We  had  those  who  have  been  lately  born  of  the  Spirit 
seated  by  themselves  in  the  centre  seats  of  the  chapel. 
After  a  solemn  and  pointed  address,  in  which  their  duties, 
responsibihties,  and  dangers,  were  faithfully  urged  upon  their 
attention,  they  were  called  forward  to  the  communion  rails. 
Several  important  questions  were  then  proposed  to  them  ; 
their  names,  places  of  residence,  and  the  leader  of  their 
choice,  were  carefully  taken.  They  then  knelt  down,  and- 
were  commended  in  prayer  to  the  guidance  and  protection 
of  the  Almighty.  The  congregation,  admitted  by  ticket, 
then  arose,  while  the  young  converts  remained  kneeling, 
and  we  sang, — 

"  0  happy  day  that  fixed  my  choice 

On  thee,  my  Saviour  and  my  God  ! 
■\Vell  may  this  glowing  heart  rejoice, 

And  tell  its  raptures  all  abroad." 


196  EXPERIENCES   AND   INCIDENTS 

While  the  last  two  lines  were  being  sung  they  retired  to 
their  seats,  and  another  company  came  forward,  and  were 
prayed  for,  and  dismissed  in  the  same  way,  until  all  had 
thus  presented  themselves  at  the  altar  of  God. 

The  service  was  most  impressive.  Many  tears  were  shed 
by  ihe  members  of  the  society,  who  were  seated  in  the  gallery, 
but  especially  by  the  young  converts.  Such  a  scene  of  en- 
tire consecration  of  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  to  the  service  of 
God,  with  such  an  influence  from  heaven,  many  of  the  oldest 
saints  say  they  never  had  witnessed  before.  Assist  me,  my 
dear  sister,  in  praising  God  for  his  abounding  goodness, 
"Which  always  causeth  me  the  triumph  in  Christ,  and  maketh 
manifest  the  savor  of  his  love,"  by  your  unw^orthy  brother, 
"  in  every  place." 

I  have  been  contemplating  a  visit  to  England  for  several 
weeks,  and  have  had  many  very  pressing  invitations  from 
the  Rev.  WiUiam  Lord,  formerly  a  Wesleyan  Missionary  in 
Canada ;  and  were  it  not  for  the  following  circumstance  I 
would  sail  immediately  for  that  country :  — 

Some  wrecks  since  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Lord,  in  Hull,  stating 
that  I  was  nearly  ready  to  leave  Ireland,  requesting  the 
route  to  Hull,  and  where  I  should  find  a  home  on  my  arrival. 
When  my  letter  reached  Hull,  Mr.  Lord  had  gone  to  the 
Conference  in  London.  Mrs.  Lord  forwarded  my  letter  to 
him,  and  he  wrote  to  a  brother  in  Hull,  respecting  my  in- 
tentions, requesting  him  to  write  to  me  in  Cork.  He  then 
folded  my  letter  inside  the  one  he  had  wTitten  to  the  friend, 
and  directed  the  entire  to  me  at  Cork.  It  arrived,  and  to 
my  surprise  I  found  my  own  letter  returned.  I  saw  at  once 
it  was  a  mistake,  and  concluded  that  Providence  desired  to 
retain  me  in  Ireland  for  a  longer  time. 

Since  then  I  have  engaged  to  visit  Bandon,  a  pleasant 


IN   CORK  AND   BANDON.  197 

town  a  few  miles  from  this  city.     I  shall  leave  for  that  place 
on  Saturday,  the  30th  instant,  if  God  permit. 

We  continue  this  chapter  with  extracts  from  another  letter 
addressed  to  an  American  friend,  from  Bandon.  It  refers 
to  liis  Temperance  labors  while  yet  in  Cork,  and  to  his  open- 
ing revival  movements  in  Bandon.     He  says  :  — 

On  Saturday,  30th  July,  I  left  Cork  for  Bandon.  Before 
I  bade  adieu  to  Cork,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  deliver  a  few  lec- 
tures on  Temperance.  Some  battled  hard  for  the  wine 
bottle,  but  nobly  suiTcndered  to  the  convincing  arguments 
of  tee-totalism.  A  society  was  formed,  denominated,  "  The 
Cork  Young  Men's  Total  Abstinence  Society,"  that  is,  "  total 
abstinence"  from  all  intoxicating  drinks.  The  meetings  were 
animated,  and  several  of  the  brethren  advocated  the  cause 
most  eloquently.  The  yoimg  society  was  in  a  very  flourish- 
ing condition  when  I  left,  and  those  who  had  joined  it  well 
satisfied  with  the  step  they  had  taken. 

This  cause,  Uke  every  other  benevolent  institution  of  the 
day,  requires  to  be  kept  in  motion  by  a  stirring  and  vigorous 
advocacy.  "VYhat  would  become  of  Mssionary,  Bible,  Tract, 
and  other  kindred  Societies,  without  public  meetings,  and 
the  powerful  and  arousing  speeches  delivered  on  such  oc- 
casions ?  What  would  become  of  the  church  and  the  Christ- 
ian world,  notwithstanding  the  hold  which  the  gospel  and  the 
Bible  have  upon  the  consciences  of  the  population,  if  gospel 
sermons  were  as  "  few  and  far  between"  as  are  addresses  on 
total  abstinence  ?  If  sin  and  its  servants  would,  in  such  a 
case,  bhght  or  root  out  the  cause  of  truth  and  true  religion 
from  the  church  and  from  the  world,  the  same  results,  under 
like  circumstances,  will  unquestionably  attend  the  cause  of 
temperance  on  total  abstinence  principles ;  alcohol,  with  its 
grogshops  and  votaries,  would  soon  undo  all  that  has  been 
17* 


398  EXPERIENCES   AND   INCIDENTS 

done  to  cleanse  our  globe  from  the  sin  of  drunkenness.  The 
Temperance  Society  will  prosper  in  Cork,  if  its  friends  wilL 
not  allow  it  to  sleep  ;  but,  if  they  do,  it  will  soon  come  to 
an  end,  and  they  will  have  none  to  blame  for  it  but  them- 
selves. 

I  have  written  to  them  since  I  came  to  Bandon,  offering 
them  this  motto.  Action!  Action! !  Action! ! !  Not  that  I 
would  advise  any  of  them  to  make  it  a  hobby  in  preaching, 
in  prayer  meetings,  in  class  meetings,  or  in  love-feasts,  as 
this  would  only  tend  to  prejudice  and  disgust  those  who  are 
not  yet  convinced ;  but  to  plan  their  public  meetings  so  as 
not  to  give  drunkards  and  temperate  drinkers,  time  to  check 
their  uneasiness  or  fortify  themselves  before  another  discharge 
of  temperance  truth  is  poured  into  their  entrenchments. 
Let  the  friends  not  be  afraid  of  a  little  money ;  let  them 
call  forward  the  best  speakers  of  the  day :  whatever  talent 
God  has  enlisted  against  alcoholic  drinks,  let  them  wield 
against  the  hydra-headed  monster,  and  punch  and  wine, 
and  ale  and  porter  drinking  will  become  quite  as  unfashion- 
able in  respectable  famihes  in  Cork,  as  in  America.  You 
know  the  battle  we  had  to  fight  in  America,  and  the  results  ; 
that  upon  the  tables  and  side-boards  of  thousands  of  families, 
those  drinks  were  not  to  be  seen ;  the  effects  upon  the  rising 
generation,  as  well  as  upon  the  morals  and  religious  move- 
ments of  the  adult  population,  eternity  alone  will  reveal. 
We  can  never  know  the  final  results  in  time,  great  as  they 
are  acknowledged  to  be. 

A  few  days  before  I  left  Cork,  Father  Ma  the  w  honored 
me  with  a  visit.  We  had  a  very  agreeable  conversation  for 
three  quarters  of  an  hour  on  temperance.  He  seems  an  ex- 
cellent man,  full  of  benevolence  and  good  will  to  all  classes 
of  his  fellow-men  ;  and  determined,  while  he  lives,  to  prose- 
cute with  his  characteristic  ardor,  the  cause  of  temperance, 


IN   CORK   AXD    BANDON.  199 

for  the  promotion  of  which,  it  would  appear,  God  has  raised 
him  up. 

If  Mr.  Mathew  can  only  succeed  in  steering  his  tempe- 
rance ship  clear  of  the  rocks  of  poUtical  intrigue,  which 
seems  to  be  the  fixed  purpose  of  his  heart,  the  elevating  and 
glorious  results  in  the  future  history  of  Ireland,  can  no  more 
be  doubted,  than  the  beneficial  influence  upon  the  millions  of 
tee-totallers  already  enrolled  beneath  his  temperance  banners. 
There  is  not,  I  presume,  a  Protestant  in  Ireland,  that  has  not 
been  forced  into  the  acknowledgment  of  a  change,  not,  of 
course,  in  the  Roman  Cathohc  rehgion,  but  in  the  moral 
habits  of  the  people  in  reference  to  intoxicating  drinks  and 
drunkenness.  The  fruits  of  the  reformation,  sobriety  and 
elevation  of  moral  character,  are  such  as  cannot  be  denied, 
their  enemies  themselves  being  witnesses. 

I  opened  my  commission  here  on  Sabbath,  31st  of  July, 
in  the  use  of  that  text,  Hcb.  vii.  25  ;  since  then,  have  been 
preaching  four  nights  in  the  week,  and  twice  on  the  Sabbath. 
A  few  have  been  converted  to  God.  The  influence  upon 
the  Wesleyan  church,  is  very  gracious  indeed,  but  the  in- 
habitants generally  seem  as  yet  unmoved.  The  good  citizens, 
as  far  as  we  have  become  acquainted,  treat  me  with  great 
civihty,  but  on  the  subject  of  religion,  the  general  state  of  the 
public  mind  appears  to  be,  "I  pray  thee  have  me  excused !" 

The  congregations  are  tolerable,  but  our  doings  or  sayings, 
excite  but  very  httle  interest  beyond  the  famiUes  of  Method- 
ism ;  why,  I  cannot  tell.  Popularity  or  influence  over  a 
community,  is,  especially  when  a  good  man  is  concerned,  the 
gift  of  God  ;  but  the  Lord  does  not  seem  to  dehver  them 
into  my  hand,  and,  I  greatly  fear,  I  stepped  out  of  the  order 
of  God  in  coming  here  at  all.  Yesterday,  I  was  much  cast 
down  and  sorely  buffeted  by  the  enemy.  I  have  experienced 
nothing  like  it  since  I  left  Dublm. 


200  EXPERIENCES  AND  INCIDENTS 

A  few  days  ago  I,  received  the  following  letter:  — 

"My  very  dear  and  worthy  Friend, 

I  have  sent  to  London,  lately,  X400.,  in  half  notes,  the 
first  halves  directed  to  the  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  and 
the  corresponding  ones  to  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  (conceal- 
ing my  name,)  with  the  request  that  the  receipt  might  be 
acknowledged  in  the  London  Times  newspaper,  and  a  copy 
of  the  said  paper  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Rev.  James 
Caughey,  Methodist  minister,  Bandon  ;  as  I  mentioned,  that 
it  was  through  the  instrumentallity  of  your  preaching,  that 
the  money  was  restored.  I  would  be  glad  to  know,  when 
you  receive  the  paper,  and  will  be  thankful  that  you  will  keep 
it  for  me.  I  constantly  remember  you  when  on  my  knees, 
and  the  prayer  I  offer  up  is,  that  the  Almighty  may  keep 

you  in  the  same  humble  state  that  you  were  in  while  in , 

and  that  many  more  souls  may  be  given  for  your  hire.     Oh ! 
pray  for  me.      I  remain,  dear  Sir,  your  most  affectionate 

brother  in  Jesus  Christ, 

— — —  _— _—  " 

The  paper  referred  to  now  lies  before  me,  with  the  ac- 
knowledgment therein,  the  Chancellor's  name  on  the  wrapper. 
I  am  about  to  write  to  the  individual.  When  in  Cork,  a 
person  was  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  restitution,  of  a  sum 
much  less  than  the  above,  in  consequence  of  having  cheated 
the  revenue,  fifteen  years  ago  ;  I  assisted  the  poor  fellow  by 
obtaining  the  advice  of  a  revenue  officer,  and  penned  for  him 
a  letter  to  the  Chancellor,  signed  "  conscience  money,"  which 
he  sent  by  post. 

While  upon  this  subject,  you  will  be  gratified  to  learn 
another  case  of  restitution,  and  it  may,  perhaps,  serve  to  ex- 
plain the  secret  why  *  *  *  and  *  *  *  act  in  such  a  singular 
manner.     While  in  *  *  *  ,  and  during  the  revival,  a  person 


IN    CORK   AND    BANDON.  201 

who  resided  in  *  *  *  street  experienced  a  clear  sense  of  the 
pardoning  love  of  God,  and  joined  the  Methodist  church. 
Her  husband  no  sooner  knew  of  it  than  he  began  to  persecute 
her ;  he  vowed  vengeance  against  her,  and  in  one  or  two 
instances  knocked  her  down  to  the  floor  with  his  fist.  She 
bore  it  with  the  patience  of  a  real  Christian.  Few  knew  her 
troubles,  but  she  stood  fast,  and  clung  to  God  and  his  people. 
A  short  sime  after  I  arrived  at  *  *  *,  I  was  surprised  in  meet- 
ing the  man  in  a  shop.  He  drew  me  aside  hastily,  and  begged 
I  would  not  call  him  by  the  name  he  had  at  *  *  *,  but  by 
*  *  *,  as  the  latter  was  his  real  name.  We  walked  out  together, 
and  he  expressed  himself  as  having  become  "  quite  a  new 
man."  "But,"  I  inquired,  "why  did  you  conduct  yourself 
so  to  your  wife  in  *  *  *  ?  you  acted  as  if  the  devil  were  in 
you  ! "  The  substance  of  his  reply  was,  "  I  was  very  un- 
happy. But  I  should  remark,  first,  I  have  abandoned  the 
use  of  liquor  ;  and,  secondly,  God  has  compelled  me  to  be- 
come an  honest  man.  The  secret  of  my  opposition  to 
my  wife  was,  I  had  no  hopes  of  salvation  myself.  To  be 
short.  Sir,  I  formerly  resided  at  *  *  *  in  *  *  * ;  I  ran  away 
from  my  creditors,  and  kept  several  thousands  in  my  posses- 
sion. I  changed  my  name  at  *  *  *  to  avoid  detection ;  but. 
Sir;  I  have  made  restitution,  and  I  have  obtained  great  peace 
of  mind.  My  soul  was  tormented ;  God  began  also  to  afflict 
my  body,  and  convinced  me,  that  it  was  on  account  of  my 
dishonesty.  My  disease  has  disappeared  with  my  mental 
distress,  and  I  am  now  a  happy  man." 

I  have  been  doubting  in  my  mind,  whether  you  will  be 
satisfied  with  me,  for  filling  up  my  letter  with  these  restitu- 
tion cases ;  still,  as  they  serve  to  illustrate  the  power  of  the 
gospel,  in  casting  out  bad  principles,  by  the  expulsive  force 
of  those  pecuUarly  its  o^vn  ;  I  hope  the  relation,  on  that  ac- 
count, may  not  be  uninteresting. 


202  EXPERIENCES   AND    INCIDENTS 

Mj  soul  is  frequently  assailed  by  the  grand  adversary  ; 
but  often,  when  the  enemy  comes  in  as  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of 
God  raises  up  a  standard  against  him.  In  general,  my 
peace  and  rest  in  God  are  soul  satisfying.  He  is  my  object 
and  aim.  If  I  have  any  happiness,  it  is  in  Him.  I  have 
much  to  humble  me,  but  "  covered  is  my  unrighteousness." 
The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  has  washed  away  my  guilt  and 
stains.  I  rest  upon  the  merits  of  the  atonement,  and  have 
the  victory ;  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  me  from 
all  sin.  0  what  a  happiness  is  this  !  The  revival  is  going 
on  very  slowly  here,  which  gives  the  enemy  much  advantage 
in  harassing  my  soul. 

The  following  paragraphs  form  a  sort  of  episode  in  tne 
narrative  ;  yet  as  they  show  the  workings  of  his  mind,  while 
in  Bandon,  their  insertion  is  not  deemed  inappropriate.  It 
seems  some  ministerial  friend  in  America  had  written  to  Mr. 
Caughey  in  terms  of  admiration  at  his  successes,  and  ahnost 
in  a  spirit  of  discontent  at  the  comparative  want  of  similar 
fruitfulness  in  his  own  ministry.  This  reply  is  worthy  of  Mr. 
Caughey's  head  and  heart,  and  will  assuredly  profit  many  a 
minister  who  is  discouraged  from  kindred  causes  :  it  com- 
mences with  certain  references  to  his  friend's  letter :  — 

Permit  me,  in  the  outset,  to  oppose  the  following  verse  to 
yours  : — 

"  Thick  waters  show  no  images  of  things  ; 

Friends  are  each  other's  mirrors,  and  should  be 
Clearer  than  crystal  or  the  moiintain  springs, 
And  free  from  cloud,  design,  or  flatter}'," 

I  allow  all  you  say  on  ''contraries  illustrating  contraries  ;" 
"  the  two  fields  of  grain,  one  thin,  shrunk,  and  shrivelled ; 
the  other,  rich  and  luxuriant ;"  the  "  two  clouds,  presenting 
their   contraries   of  darkness    and   brightness,   gloom   and 


IN    CORK    AND    BANDON.  203 

glory ;"  the  one  throwing  the  other  into  bolder  and  more 
striking  relief,  and  mutually  serving  to  illustrate  each  other ; 
these  are  happy  illustrations,  but  you  must  not  forget  the 
sentiment  of  a  poet :  — 

*"Tis  distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  view, 
And  clothes  the  mountain  in  its  azure  hue." 

The  ruggedness  of  the  landscape  is  greatly  lessened  by  being 
only  seen  at  a  distance.  Great  allowance  should  be  made, 
when  the  position  occupied  by  the  person  who  is  scaiming 
those  fields  is  considered.  If  too  near,  one  may  be  seen  to 
great  disadvantage  ;  but  distance  may  make  the  only  differ- 
ence with  respect  to  the  other.  It  is  here  that  the  principle 
of  deception  often  works,  and  where  I  have  frequently 
detected  it,  in  my  estimate  respecting  both  myself  and 
others.  In  reference  to  those  clouds,  much  may  depend 
upon  the  point  of  observation  ;  the  bright  one  may  have  dark 
shades,  and  the  dark  a  bright  side,  when  seen  from  a  differ- 
ent direction.  Will  you  allow  the  application  ?  You  stand 
too  near  your  own  field ;  your  eye  is  fixed  upon  the  dark 
side  of  your  own  cloud  ;  you  see  me  and  the  circumstances 
in  which  I  am  placed,  in  the  far  away  and  shadowy  distance. 
The  disadvantages  of  your  situation,  with  all  its  vexations, 
are,  indeed,  dull  and  sombre  certainties,  while  the  broad  out- 
lines of  mine  are  only  seen  ;  distance  lends  its  graces  as  to 
the  landscape,  and  fancy,  ignorant  of  the  soft  illusions,  fills 
it  up  with  a  thousand  romantic  charms.  Could  you  only 
approach  a  little  nearer,  and  acquaint  yourself  by  actual 
experience  with  the  ground  over  which  vision  has  been  expa- 
tiating, "the  fairy  enchantment"  which  deludes  your 
imagination  would  soon  disappear  before  stern  aad  rugged 
reaUty.  Do  not,  my  dear  Sir,  entertain  the  thought  for  a 
moment  that  my  path  is  a  smooth  one.     Your  "  trials  "  and 


204  EXPERIENCES   AND   INCIDENTS 

mine  differ,  but  I  have  them  as  well  as  you ;  nor  do  I  expect 
it  to  be  otherwise,  till  my  soul  is  lodged  in  Abraham's  bosom. 
The  tears  I  have  shed,  and  the  agonies  and  sore  conflicts  I^ 
have  passed  through,  in  fighting  with  the  opposing  powers  of 
hell,  are  known  only  to  my  heavenly  Father.  Under  open 
sky,  upon  the  cold  and  damp  ground,  or  upon  the  floor  of  my 
bedroom,  I  have  lain  in  exquisite  anguish,  with  prayers  and 
supphcations,  strong  cryings  and  tears, — 

"  And  what  I  felt,  I  oft  shall  feel  again." 

He  that  wages  war  with  hell,  must  expect  to  suffer  hell's 
rage  ;  but  the  opposition  from  infernal  powers  is  varied 
according  to  our  temperament  and  circumstances.  When 
perusing  an  old  volume  the  other  day,  I  fell  in  with  one  of 
Luther's  letters  to  his  friend  Melancthon.  It  was  written  in 
1522,  and  at  a  time  when  all  hell  was  moved  against  these 
devoted  men  ;  when  the  rage  of  the  papists,  and  threats  of 
those  high  in  power,  knew  no  bounds ;  and  when  their  fury 
menaced  every  moment,  and  seemed  about  to  come  down 
upon  them  like  a  tornado.  Melancthon  gave  himself  up  to 
grief,  sighs,  and  tears.  At  this  crisis,  Luther  wrote  him  the 
following  letter :  — 

'*  In  private  conflicts,  I  am  weak  and  you  are  strong ;  but 
in  public  conflicts,  you  are  found  weak,  and  I  am  stronger, 
because  I  am  assured  that  our  cause  is  just.  If  we  fall, 
Christ,  the  Lord  and  Ruler  of  the  world,  falleth  with  us  ;  and 
suppose  he  fall :  Mallem  mere  cum  Christo,  quam  regnare 
cum  CcBsare !  '  I  had  rather  fall  with  Christ,  than  reign 
with  Caesar.'  I  extremely  dislike  your  excessive  cares,  with 
which  you  say  you  are  almost  consumed.  That,  these  reign 
so  much  in  your  heart,  is  not  so  much  from  the  greatness  of 
the  danger,  as  from  the  greatness  of  your  increduhty.     If 


IN    CORK   AND    BANDON.  205 

the  cause  be  bad,  let  us  give  it  up,  and  flee  back  ;  if  it  be 
good,  why  do  we  make  God  a  liar,  who  hath  given  us  so 
great  promises  ?  saying,  '  Cast  thy  care  upon  the  Lord  ; 
be  of  good  comfort,  I  have  overcome  the  world.'  A  man 
would  fetch  such  sentences  as  I  have  quoted,  upon  his  knees, 
from  Rome  to  Jerusalem.  If  Christ  be  the  conqueror  of  the 
world,  why  should  we  fear  it,  as  if  it  could  overcome  us  ? 
Be  courageous  and  cheerful,  solicitous  for  nothing  ;  the  Lord 
is  at  hand  to  help  us." 

Can  you  make  the  application,  and  obey  the  injunction  of 
the  apostle  :  "  Whom  resist,  steadfast  in  the  faith,  knowmg 
that  the  same  afflictions,"  either  inward  or  outward,  "  are 
accomplished  in  your  brethren  that  are  in  the  world."  That 
was  a  choice  saying  of  one  now  mth  God.  "  A  Christian  is 
never  without  an  enemy  to  persecute  him,  inwardly  or  out- 
wardly ;  even  this  is  a  temptation  of  the  de\di,  to  think  that 
we  are  at  any  time  free  from  temptation."  The  tilings  you 
speak  of  are  annoying ;  you  should  rather  wonder  that  you 
have  not  a  heavier  tax  to  pay.  Patience,  prudence,  and 
perseverance,  are  the  graces  you  are  now  called  to  exercise ; 
and  I  am  persuaded,  that  an  increase  of  the  love  of  God  in 
your  heart,  will  materially  assist  you  in  your  exercises. 

I  have  read  somewhere,  the  saying  of  a  good  man,  that 
calumny  and  detraction  are  like  sparks  ;  if  you  do  not  blow 
them,  they  will  go  out  of  themselves.  A  poet  has  well 
said :  — - 

*'  There  is  a  lust  in  man,  no  cliarm  can  tame, 
Of  loudly  publishing  his  neighbor's  shame  ; 
On  eagles'  wings  immortal  scandals  fly, 
"While  virtuous  actions  are  but  born  to  die  !" 

Some  years  ago,  I  was  amused  with  the  sentiment  of  a 
"Witty  fellow :  "A  Lie  will  travel  from  Mauie  to  Georgia, 
while  Truth  is  puttuig  on  his  boots ;  m  that  case,"  he  added, 
18 


206  EXPERIENCES   AND    INCIDENTS 

"  truth  should  not  stop  to  put  on  his  boots  ;  the  difficulty  lies 
in  allowing  the  He  to  run  so  far  ahead  ;  let  them  start  abreast, 
and  truth  against  the  field.  It  may  be  distanced  at  the  first 
heat,  but  in  the  long  run,  it  is  sure  to  secure  the  prize." 

The  above  is  clever,  but  I  am  inclined  to  think  Truth 
sometimes  draws  on  his  boots  too  soon,  and  in  his  haste  and 
splutter,  exposes  himself  to  suspicion.  I  like  the  saying  of 
another  strong  minded  man  better:  "  Falsehood  flies  as  swift 
as  the  wind,  and  truth  creeps  behind  at  a  snail's  pace  ;  but 
falsehood  makes  so  many  twistings  and  turnings,  that  truth, 
keeping  steadily  on,  and  looking  neither  to  the  right  nor  to 
the  left,  overtakes  it  before  long !"  May  your  experience 
be  that  of  the  old  proverb  :  Hie  murus  aheneus,  etc.  :  "  Let 
this  be  thy  brazen  wall  of  defence,  to  be  conscious  of  no 
crime,  and  to  turn  pale  at  no  accusation."  Say  also,  with 
the  philosopher,  "  I  mil  five  so  that  nobody  will  believe 
them." 

The  other  cases,  however,  that  you  mention,  constitute  the 
severest, — ^^  deceptive  friendship  ;"  and  the  danger  is,  lest 
your  late  trials  should  lead  you  to  indulge  in  coldness  and 
suspicion  towards  your  real  friends. 

"  But  here  again,  the  danger  lies, 
Lest,  having  misapplied  our  eyes, 
And  taken  trash  for  treasure, 
We  should  unwarily  conlude. 
Friendship,  a  false  ideal  good, 
A  mere  Utopian  pleasure." 

Beware  of  this  extreme  !  Beware  of  misanthropy !  It  is  a 
most  unhappy  feeling ;  the  smallest  degree  of  it  sours  the 
mind,  and  unfits  it  for  the  pleasures  of  social  life,  and  pre- 
disposes us  to  take  offence  at  the  most  trifling  occurrences. 
I  would  rather  be  deceived  a  thousand  times  in  my  friend- 
ships, than  have  the  sensations  of  a  misanthrope.     This  is 


IN   CORK   AND   BANDON.  207 

the  only  part  of  your  severe  troubles,  with  which  I  cannot 
sympathize  by  experience,  as  I  do  not  recollect  that  I  have 
ever  yet  been  deceived,  where  I  have  reposed  confidence  in 
the  bosom  of  friendship.  For  this  I  feel  tinily  thankful  to 
God.  Allow  me,  however,  to  remind  you,  that  there  are  yet 
many  real  friends  upon  your  list,  and  I  have  no  doubt  you 
will  yet  find  many  more.  As  one  has  said,  on  a  similar 
occasion,  "  One  piece  of  gold  mil  often  repay  us  for  turning 
up  much  rubbish ;"  so  I  hope,  if  doomed  to  turn  over  many 
more  heaps  of  rubbish,  you  will  go  on  doing  so,  in  full  ex- 
pectation of  meeting  with  "  good  men  and  true  "  to  fill  up 
the  spaces  in  your  broken  ranks. 

Your  complaint  only  proves,  that  words  are  cheap  things, 
and  "professional  friendship"  does  not  cost  much.  We 
may  say  of  this,  as  did  the  Italian  poet,  who  lived  in  a  very 
small  house,  and  who,  on  being  asked,  why  he  who  had  so 
eloquently  described  magnificent  palaces,  should  himself  live 
in  a  house  so  small  and  shabby.  He  replied,  "  Words  are 
put  together  cheaper  than  stones."  Although  your  case  is 
somewhat  dissimilar,  it  reminds  me  of  the  severity  of  a  Latin 
poet  against  one  Candidus,  the  fruit  of  whose  friendship,  it 
would  appenr,  only  grew  upon  his  tongue.  The  translation 
of  one  of  his  verses  runs  thus:  "Thou  sayest,  my  friend 
Candidus,  that  all  things  are  common  among  friends ;  but  it 
seems  these  avords  of  thine  are  the  all  things;  for,  of  all 
thy  wealth  and  goods,  thou  makest  no  friend  thou  hast  a  doit 
the  better ;  thou  givest  nothing  at  all,  and  yet  art  most 
prodifi^al  of  thy  language,  and  wearest  out  that  proverb 
threadbare,  JIuvtu  xon-u  qihor,  "  All  things  are  common 
among  friends." 

St.  John  touches  this  forcibly :  "  My  httle  children,  let 
us  not  love  in  word,  neither  in  tongue,  but  in  deed,  and  in 
truth." 


208  EXPERIENCES  AND  INCIDENTS 

Permit  me,  my  dear  friend,  to  direct  your  sorrowful  mind 
to  those  passages  of  Scripture,  with  which  you  are  familiar: 
"  God  is  a  sun  and  a  shield  ;"  "  God  is  light,  and  in  him  is 
no  darkness  at  all ;"  and  again,  "  With  him  there  is  no 
variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning.'^  I  do  not  bring 
these  beautiful  declarations  before  you,  merely  to  put  you  in 
remembrance  of  God's  unchangeable  friendship  to  those  who 
love  and  obey ;  but  to  urge  the  necessity  of  living  in  close 
and  intimate  union  with  Him,  who  "is  light,"  so  that  neither 
devils  nor  men  may  cast  your  soul  into  the  shade. 

Once  I  received  a  very  important  lesson,  from  a  very 
simple  incident,  which  I  trust  will  be  a  blessing  to  me  so 
long  as  I  live.  One  evening,  several  years  ago,  I  went 
aboard  a  steamer,  at  the  city  of  Albany,  and  sailed  for  New 
York.  After  admiring  the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  Hudson, 
till  night  obscured  every  object  on  the  shores  from  my  view, 
I  retired  to  the  gentlemen's  cabin  and  sat  down  to  read, 
taking  a  seat  some  distance  from  the  lamp.  It  was  not  long 
before  dark  shadows,  to  my  great  annoyance,  flitted  again 
and  again  over  my  book,  in  consequence  of  careless  servants 
and  untliinking  passengers  passing  and  repassing  between  me 
and  the  light.  I  bore  it  for  some  time  with  great  patience, 
closing  my  eyes  till  the  shadows  flitted  over  the  page,  phi- 
losophizing on  the  benefit  of  tranquility  in  all  the  changing 
scenes  of  life.  Each  person  being  intent  upon  his  own 
business  and  pleasure,  the  studious  stranger  never  entered 
their  thoughts.  At  last  the  inconvenience  became  too  great 
for  even  fliilono'phj  to  bear  patiently,  and  it  suggested  a 
remedy.  Observing  that  the  thoroughfare  lay  between  me 
and  the  lamp,  I  concluded  to  occupy  it,  and  draw  so  close 
to  the  source  of  light,  as  to  prevent  any  one  from  coming 
between  me  and  it.  I  did  so,  and  here  my  troubles  ended ; 
the  ztir  was  as  great  as  ever,  but  the  voyagers  found  a  pas- 


IN   CORK   AND    BANDON.  209 

sage  behind  me,  and  "  left  me  alone  in  my  glorj.''  I  was 
only  a  few  moments  in  this  advantageous  position,  before  I 
was  disturbed  by  another  class  of  agents,  not  less  stirring 
than  those  I  had  contrived  to  avoid,  and  which  equally  pro- 
hibited me  from  reading.    A  poet  has  described  them  thus : — 

"  Lulled  in  the  countless  chambers  of  the  brain, 
Our  thoughts  are  linked  by  many  a  hidden  chain, 
Awake  but  one,  and  lo  !  what  myriads  rise, 
Each  stamps  its  image  as  the  other  flies." 

I  recollected  how  often  since  God  converted  my  soul,  my 
peace  had  been  broken  or  destroyed,  by  a  great  variety  of 
agents,  many  of  them  as  unthinking  and  undesigning  as 
these  passengers  ;  and  why  ?  In  nine  instances  out  of  ten, 
my  soul  stood  at  such  a  distance  from  God,  as  to  leave  a 
thoroughfare  between  me  and  him,  which  was  perpetually 
occupied  by  these  intruders ;  my  soul  being  thus  excluded 
from  the  beams  of  the  great  Source  of  light,  happiness,  and 
comfort,  I  have  been  dark,  cold,  and  unhappy. 

"Ah!"  I  thought,  "now  I  know  the  cause  of  all  my 
troubles  ;  and  the  method  of  redress  for  all  my  grievances 
is  revealed.  From  henceforth,  by  the  grace  of  God,  I  shall 
endeavor  to  live  so  near  the  Lord,  that  no  creature  under 
heaven  shall  be  able  to  come  between  us.  Then  I  shall 
walk  in  cheerful  light  under  the  sunshine  of  his  countenance, 
and  shall  read,  uninterruptedly,  '  my  title  clear '  to  his  favor, 
and  to  his  heaven.  Then  I  shall  cheerfully  bear  whatever 
may  come,  —  losses,  and  crosses,  sickness  or  health,  pros- 
perity or  adversity.  Friends  in  such  case  may  divert  or 
prove  true,  may  be  spared  to  my  embraces,  or  wither  and 
die ;  and  though  tenderly  alive  to  the  whole,  yet  the  presence 
or  absence  of  these,  which  one  has  somewhere  compared  to 
^  candle  light  in  the  presence  of  sunbeams,'  can  make  no 
material  diflference  to  the  soul  upon  which  the  Sun  of  Right- 
18* 


210  EXPERIENCES  AND  INCIDENTS 

eousness  hath  arisen,  with  healing  in  his  wings.     Mai.  iv.  2. 
Mj  experience  will  be  continually  — 

*  The  eternal  sunshine  of  the  spotless  mind, 
Each  prayer  accepted,  and  each  wish  resigned.'  " 

With  respect  to  the  other  points  in  your  letter,  I  really 
find  it  difficult,  at  so  great  a  distance,  to  determuie.  All 
ships  without  cargo  need  ballast^  some  more,  some  less ;  and 
it  matters  not  to  the  captain  what  it  is,  so  that  it  be  not  too 
bulky,  and  the  vessel  is  kept  steady.  The  coarsest,  and 
most  worthless  material,  is  generally  thrown  in  for  ballast ; 
but  a  cargo,  if  there  be  a  sufficiency  of  it,  renders  this  pre- 
caution unnecessary.  JMost  Christians  need  a  little  ballast, 
—  troubles  and  afflictions  of  various  kinds,  to  keep  them 
steady,  otherwise  they  would  capsize,  or  be  hard  to  manage  ; 
some  require  more,  others  less;  but  the  more  love  and  faith, 
the  more  holiness  we  have,  the  less  ballast  we  shall  need  to 
keep  us  steady  in  our  passage  to  heaven,  which  is  frequently 
boisterous :  — 

"  Through  tribulations  deep, 
The  way  to  glory  lies, 
That  stormy  course  I  keep, 
'Neath  these  tempestuous  skies, 
By  winds  and  waves 
I  am  tossed  and  driven, 
Freighted  with  grace, 
And  bound  for  heaven  !" 

I  have  often  thought  the  religious  experience,  or,  if  you 
please,  "  temperament"  of  some  people,  is  not  unlike  a  clock ; 
one  or  two  deadweights  are  necessary  to  keep  the  machinery 
going  with  regularity.  A  quaint  old  poet  I  was  reading  the 
other  day,  when  describing  the  state  of  his  soul  in  prayer, 
under  the  figure  of  a  rusty  clock,  makes  known  his  requests, 
but  never  mentions  the  w^eights  at  all.     But  hear  him :  — 


IN   CORK   AND    BANDON.  211 

"  My  80ul  is  ft  clock,  wlioflo  wheels  (for  want  of  use 
And  winding  up,  being  subject  to  the  abuse 
Of  eating  rust)  wants  vigor  to  fulfil 
Her  twelve  hours  task,  and  show  her  Maker's  skill, 
But  idloly  sleeps  unmoved,  and  standetli  still. 

****** 

Great  God,  it  is  thy  work,  and  therefore  good  ; 

If  thou  be  pleased  to  cleanse  it  with  thy  blood, 

And  wind  it  up  with  thy  soul-moving  keys, 

Her  busy  wheels  shall  servo  then  all  her  days; 

Her  hand  shall  point  thy  power,  her  hammer  strike  thy  praise." 

I>ut,  to  change  the  figure,  I  can  vcrj  well  conceive  how  a 
tlircjulharc  coat  may  have  a  happy  heart  beneath  it ;  or  how 
a  man  may  liave  a  burden  upon  his  back,  and  sunshine  in 
Ills  soul.  Remember  my  lesson  on  board  the  stpamer.  The 
great  point  to  be  settled,  is,  "  Can  I  sec  God  in  this  ?  Is 
this  providential  ?  Can  it  be  avoided  or  removed  ?  The 
question  is  not,  what  ought  I  to  have  done  ?  but,  what  is  my 
duty  now  ?  If  I  can  do  nothing  but  suffer,  let  me  do  this. 
If  God  alone  can  help' me,  then  I  must  be  still."  Arc  these 
your  feelings  ?  Then  let  me  call  to  your  aid  the  sentiments 
of  a  suffering  servant  of  the  living  God :  "  lie  will  do  the 
work,  and  his  hand  will  be  seen  in  the  doing  of  it.  Wc  are 
obliged  to  wait  for  the  tide.  When  that  flows,  and  the  wind 
sets  in  fair,  let  us  hoist  sail.  When  the  tide  has  left  a  ship 
on  the  beach,  an  army  may  attempt  to  move  it  in  vain ;  but 
when  she  is  afloat  in  the  water,  a  small  force  moves  her. 
We  must  wait  the  openings  of  Providence."  In  the  mean- 
time, you  may  realize  the  tnlth  of  the  Chinese  maxim : 
"  Whatever  tempests  may  arise,  tranf[uility  is  a  port  always 
open  to  the  innocent  heart."  The  following  is  better :  "  Cast 
thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  -will  sustain  thee ;  he  will 
never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be  moved." 

Perhaps  another  lesson,  which  I  received  several  years  ago, 
may  be  useful  to  you  in  the  present  juncture  of  your  affairs. 


212  EXPERIENCES  AND  INCIDENTS 

My  mind  had  been  sorely  exercised  for  some  time,  respect- 
ing temporal  affairs,  out  of  which  I  could  see  no  way  of 
deliverance,  feeling  unwilling  at  the  same  time  to  rest  the 
matter  in  uncertainty.  That  scriptural  direction  was  forgot- 
ten :  "He  that  beheveth,  shall  not  make  haste."  One  day, 
as  I  was  standing  in  an  hotel,  in  the  city  of  Troy,  waiting 
the  arrival  of  the  coach,  I  took  up  a  common  newspaper, 
when  my  eye  rested  upon  the  following  paragraph,  denomi- 
nated, "  The  just  principles  of  wisdom,"  which  seemed  to 
have  been  written  expressly  for  me :  "  Distresses  that  are 
removable,  remove  ;  those  that  cannot  be  removed,  bear  with 
as  little  disquietude  as  possible.  In  every  situation  m  life 
there  are  some  comforts ;  find  them  out  and  enjoy  them." 

May  you  not  also,  my  dear  Sir,  receive  some  benefit  from 
the  above  ?  Endeavor  to  do  so,  and  God  will  help  you. 
Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart,  and  wait  patiently  for 
him,  and  he  shall  bring  it  to  pass.  And  while  you  are  douig 
so,  you  may  adopt  the  language  of  a  very  old  poet :  — 

*'  Fear  not  the  rocks,  or  world's  imperious  waves, 
Thou  dimb'st  a  Rock,  my  soul,  a  Rock  that  saves  !" 

We  have  had,  hitherto,  a  very  hard  conflict  in  Bandon  ; 
the  hardest  in  which  1  have  ever  been  enga^iied.  Last  Sab- 
bath, however,  was  a  glorious  day  to  many.  We  had  a  select 
meeting  for  the  young  converts  in  the  afternoon,  and  forty- 
four  persons  came  forward  and  testified,  that,  during  the  last 
four  weeks,  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  had  forgiven  their  sins. 
It  was  indeed  a  powerful  and  melting  time.  I  have  wit- 
nessed nothing  like  it  since  the  commencement  of  the  special 
services.  Many  of  the  old  members  were  bathed  in  tears, 
and  toward  the  close  of  the  service,  a  large  number  of  awak- 
ened sinners  approached  the  communion  rail,  and  knelt  to  be 
prayed  for.      Their  cries  for  mercy  were  piercing.      This 


IN   CORK    AND    BANDON.  213 

happy  hour  amply  repaid  me  for  all  my  tears,  and  gi'oans, 
and  labors,  during  these  last  nine  weeks.  The  Lord  saw 
that  I  needed  such  a  manifestation  of  his  power,  for  my  soul 
was  greatly  discouraged. 

The  remainder  of  this  chapter  is  from  a  letter  dated  Cork. 
Oct.  28,  1842,  and  is  addressed  to  his  sister  in  America. 
It  briefly  reviews  his  Bandon  labors,  and  describes  his  final 
labors  in  Cork  while  detained  there  a  few  days  prior  to  his 
departure  for  England: — 

This  morning  I  had  my  baggage  taken  aboard  a  steamer, 
but  just  as  we  Avere  about  to  sail  for  Liverpool,  an  accident 
occurred  to  the  machuiery,  and  the  passengers  were  requested 
to  disembark. 

Before  leaving  the  vessel,  a  person  informed  me,  who  had 
the  means  of  knowing,  that  the  boilers  were  in  a  most 
wretched  and  dangerous  condition,  and  that  this  was  the 
last  trip  previous  to  a  refit  in  England. 

Had  the  accident  taken  place  when  out  at  sea,  even  if  an 
explosion  had  been  avoided,  a  crippled  machinery  might  have 
let  us  drift  upon  a  lee  shore,  attended  with  the  most  fatal 
consequences  to  all  on  board.  With  a  thankful  heart,  I  put 
my  signature  to  that  beautiful  verse :  — 

"  Keeps  with  most  distinguished  care, 
The  man  who  on  thy  love  depends; 
Watches  every  numbered  hair, 
Aud  all  his  steps  attends." 

A  party  of  the  Cork  friends  had  accompanied  me  to  the 
boat,  having  previously  exercised  all  their  powers  of  per- 
suasion to  induce  me  to  spend  the  Sabbath  with  them ;  but 
being  fully  conscious,  that  my  work,  for  the  present,  was 
finished  in  Ireland,  I  could  not  consent ;  but  when  they  saw 
me  and  my  baggage  put  ashore,  they  accosted  me  with  a 


214  EXPERIENCES   AND   INCIDENTS 

glowing  satisfaction  of  countenance  :  ^'  Oh !  indeed,  then, 
God  will  not  let  you  leave  us !  It  is  plain,  your  work  is  not 
done  in  Cork,  and  he  has  sent  you  back  to  complete  it." 

My  mind  is  involved  in  great  anxiety,  as  to  the  path  of 
duty.  A  steamer  sails  to-morrow  for  Liverpool,  and  another 
about  the  middle  of  next  week  for  Bristol,  but  there  is  no 
impression  upon  my  mind  that  I  ought  to  visit  B.;  Liver- 
pool is  constantly  before  me,  although  I  have  no  oflScial 
invitation  from  thence ;  to-morrow  also,  is  Saturday,  and 
should  I  sail,  that  Avould  leave  me  at  sea  on  the  Sabbath ; 
and  if  I  put  off  another  week,  it  is  more  than  probable  I 
must  sail  on  Saturday  also.  Well !  I  have  committed  the 
matter  to  God,  and  will  now  spend  a  few  minutes  in  giving 
you  a  sketch  of  my  proceedings  since  the  date  of  my  last 
letter  to  *  *  *,  which  no  doubt  you  have  seen. 

The  revival  advanced  with  a  slowness  that  distressed  me 
during  the  remainder  of  my  stay  in  Bandon.  I  felt  as  if 
there  were  something  wrong  and  deeply  grievous  to  the 
Holy  Spirit  somewhere  ;  perhaps  the  day  of  judgment  shall 
alone  reveal  it.  On  Sabbath,  the  16th  inst.,  twenty  addi- 
tional persons  came  forward  as  witnesses  to  the  blessing  of 
justification  through  faith  in  the  merits  of  Christ. 

I  have  just  been  examining  my  notes  of  a  few  excursions 
made  while  in  Bandon,  but  they  are  so  lean,  it  is  doubtful 
"whether  they  will  be  interesting  to  you.  A  few  weeks  since, 
in  company  with  a  small  party  of  our  friends,  I  rode  over  to 
Kinsale,  to  see  my  kind  friends,  the  Bev.  Robinson  Scott 
and  wife,  whom  we  found  well  and  happy  in  God. 

On  the  17th  inst.,  we  set  off  in  a  different  direction,  to  a 
place  called  Court  Mac  Sherry  ;  on  our  way,  we  paid  a  visit 
to  the  ruins  of  the  old  abbey  of  Timaleague.  It  is  ap- 
proached from  Bandon,  along  the  banks  of  a  busy  little 
serpentine  river,  named  "  the  Arigideen ;"  that  is,  the  little 


IN    CORK   AND   BANDON.  2l5 

silver  stream,  which,  before  it  reaches  the  abbey,  glides  near 
the  base  of  an  ancient  castle,  built  by  an  Irish  sept,  called 
O'Shagnassy,  and  soon  after  washes  the  walls  of  Timaleague. 

The  abbey  is  built  upon  an  arm  of  the  sea,  about  three 
miles  from  the  ocean.  The  foundations  have  been  laved  by 
the  tides  during  four  centuries,  and  yet  the  venerable  pile 
has  sustained  but  trifling  injury  from  that  cause.  The  con- 
vent church  is  large,  and,  like  the  rest  of  the  buildings, 
roofless.  The  choir  has  been  a  noble  wing  with  side  aisles, 
formed  by  arcades.  A  venerable  gothic  tower  stands  in  the 
centre,  seventy  feet  high,  but  so  damaged  by  time  and 
storms,  we  could  not  ascend  to  the  top.  The  convent  is 
filled  with  graves  and  tombstones,  and  upon  one  side  of  the 
main  entrance  we  observed  an  immense  heap  of  human 
bones,  laid  together  like  one  of  your  American  wood  piles, 
exposed  to  the  weather.  The  Koman  Catholics  in  this 
country  seem  to  have  a  strange  taste  for  such  humiliating 
spectacles. 

A  peasant  told  us  very  gravely  on  leaving  the  ruins,  that 
"  when  the  abbey  was  in  its  glory,  large  ships  came  up  close 
to  its  walls ;  and,  upon  a  certain  time,  the  sailors  mocked  the 
monks,  and  one  of  them  prayed  that  God  would  put  a  stop 
to  their  coming  up  entirely ;  and  so  it  was,  for  the  channel 
was  immediately  filled  with  sand,  and  never  a  ship  came  up 
here  any  more  at  all." 

As  we  proceeded  down  the  shores  of  the  bay,  we  came  to 
Abbey  Mahon,  a  ruin  nearly  enveloped  in  ivy.  I  left  the 
carriage  and  spent  a  few  minutes  in  walking  through  its 
desolate  chambers.  Court  Mac  Sherry  is  a  neat  village, 
built  upon  a  natural  terrace,  witli  a  pleasant  prospect  of  the 
bay  and  opposite  shores.  We  entered  the  fields  at  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  village,  and  after  traversing  some  distance  a 
pleasing  and  romantic  path,  overshadowed  with  trees,  sud- 


216  EXPERIENCES   AND   INCIDENTS 

denly  the  "  Old  Head  of  Kinsale  "  and  the  Atlantic  burst 
upon  our  view. 

I  preached  mj  farewell  sermon  at  Bandon,  to  a  large  con- 
gregation, on  the  night  of  the  16th  inst.,  and  next  evening, 
spent  a  few  hours  most  agreeably  with  a  number  of  the 
friends,  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Edwards. 

Saturday,  22d,  (Oct.  1842,)  I  left  Bandon  for  Cork, 
and  had  for  a  fellow  passenger  the  Dean  of  Cork,  a  very 
sensible  and  pious  man,  quite  the  gentleman  and  the  Chris- 
tian ;  we  had  a  most  profitable  conversation  on  the  things  of 
God.  He  had  heard  of  my  movements  in  Ireland,  and  vrhen 
we  parted,  he  heartily  wished  me  success  in  my  Master's 
work.  And  now  once  more  in  Cork,  and  retracing  the 
scenes  of  the  last  few  months,  sore  as  my  conflicts  were  in 
Bandon,  I  do  not  regret  my  visit.  A  new  circle  of  acquaint- 
ances has  been  formed,  which  shall,  doubtless,  heighten  my 
joys  in  heaven.  God  has  a  precious  people  in  Bandon  with 
whom  I  felt  great  union  of  spirit,  and  who  showed  me  much 
kindness.  In  the  famihes  of  Messrs.  Edwards,  Scott,  and 
Belcher,  I  was  most  hospitably  entertained  during  my  stay. 
Bev.  George  Vance,  whom  I  mentioned  in  one  of  my  Dublin 
letters,  is  now  stationed  in  that  circuit.  He  is  the  same 
devoted  soul,  and  treated  me  with  his  accustomed  kindness. 

Sabbath,  the  23d,  I  spent  in  Cork,  preached  twice,  and 
also  the  following  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Fri- 
day evenings,  and  sinners  were  converted  to  God  in  every 
service. 

I  am  now  entertained  in  the  mansion  of  Edward  Robinson, 
Esq.,  where  I  spent  a  few  weeks  last  July,  previous  to  my 
leaving  for  Bandon.  With  him  and  his  excellent  wife  and 
family,  I  have  formed  an  acquaintance  that  shall  last  for 
ever.  My  health,  I  have  reason  to  praise  God,  is  very 
good ;  and  the  light  of  his  countenance  is  cheering  to  my 


IN   CORK   AND   BANDON.  217 

soul.  How  dreary  would  be  my  path  but  for  this  !  What- 
ever happiness  I  enjoy,  it  is  in  God.  He  is  mine,  and  I  am 
His.  What  is  before  me  in  England,  I  know  not;  but  it  is 
sweetly  and  powerfully  impressed,  "  He  can  open  and  no 
man  can  shut,  and  he  can  shut  and  no  man  can  open ;"  and 
with  this,  which  I  beheve  to  be  from  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  rest 
secure  and  satisfied. 


19 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

MR.    CAUGHEY  IN   ENGLAND. 

In  tills  chapter  we  shall  see  our  friend  walking  once  more 
in  the  way  of  naked  faith.  His  communings  with  the  Holy 
Spirit  have  led  him  to  believe  that  his  work  lies  next  in 
England.  Though  fully  successful  in  Ireland :  though  sur- 
rounded by  friends  whose  affections  he  has  won  by  his  won- 
derful labors ;  yet,  in  obedience  to  his  convictions  of  duty, 
he  tears  himself  away  from  these  friends,  and  throws  himself 
once  more  into  the  midst  of  strangers,  confident  that  God 
will  give  him  abundant  access  to  the  people.  The  facts  re- 
corded will  show  that  he  did  not  trust  God  in  vain. 

The  Poem  contained  in  this  chapter  is  inserted  here  both 
because  we  find  it  in  his  letters,  and  because  it  gives  a  fair 
specimen  of  Mr.  Caughey's  powers  as  a  writer  of  verse.  It 
is  appropriate  as  a  feature  in  his  mental  picture. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  (1842,)  in  company  with  Edward 
Robinson,  Esq.,  and  Thomas  Fannin,  Esq.,  of  Liverpool,  and 
his  daughter,  I  sailed  from  Cork  for  this  port,  (Liverpool.) 

The  captain  very  politely  allowed  a  large  party  of  the 
friends  to  come  aboard,  and  accompany  me  down  the  river. 
My  heart  was  greatly  affected  with  their  kindness,  and  after 
an  exchange  of  farewells,  they  landed  at  Passage.  As  our 
fine  steamer,  the  Prince  of  Wales,  darted  across  the  harbor 
218 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  219 

of  the  Cove,  we  had  another  opportunity  of  admiring  the 
heaiitiful  sccnerj;  but  there  was  a  singular  mournfulness 
over  my  spirit,  that  seemed  to  tinge  every  object  with  its 
hues.  A  few  minutes  more,  and  we  were  dashing  through 
the  outlet,  the  fortifications  of  which  were  frowning  down 
upon  us  from  either  hand.  The  uneasy  motions  of  our  ves- 
sel told  us  that,  however  calm  and  lovely  the  day,  it  pos- 
sessed no  charms  to  hush  into  quietness  the  untamed  and 
restless  sea. 

During  the  afternoon,  we  ran  along  the  wild  and  rocky 
coast  of  Ireland,  and  as  we  were  close  in  shore,  we  were 
most  agreeably  entertained  with  a  great  variety  of  objects. 
There  was  little  indeed  of  the  soft  and  beautiful  to  be  seen, 
nor  were  the  rocks  sufiiciently  stupendous,  to  impress  the 
mind  with  images  of  grandeur ;  but  the  amazing  masses  of 
gray  and  gradually  ascending  rocks,  broken  into  rents  and 
chasms,  by  the  action  of  the  waves  ;  the  bleak  and  shrubless 
highlands  shelving  back,  and  laid  bare  in  their  various  points 
of  elevation,  or  disfigured  by  the  beethng  operations  of  the 
storms  of  many  centuries ;  these,  with  the  bolder  promon- 
tory, shooting  far  into  the  deep,  and  the  little  bays,  with  their 
rugged  beach  and  crested  waves,  seeming  to  say,  "  Land  if 
you  dare,"  were  highly  calculated  to  excite  emotions  of  plea- 
sure, mingled  with  absorbing  curiosity,  in  the  bosom  of  those 
who  were  fond  of  sea-coast  scenery.  Seldom  have  I  seen  a 
bleaker  coast,  though  here  and  there,  we  espied  an  oasis,  just 
sufiicient  to  suggest  the  idea  of  '^  beauty  resting  in  the  lap 
of  horror."  Deck-walking  is  a  very  sociable  exercise  in 
pleasant  weather ;  but  I  fear  my  taciturnity  disappointed  my 
excellent  fi-iends.  Though  alive  to  any  imagery  belonging 
to  sea  or  land,  which  might  hereafter  assist  me  in  the  illustra- 
tion of  truth,  my  mind  was  constantly  embarrassed  with 
one  general  and  uncongenial  idea,  anticipated  sea  sickness. 


220  MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND. 

I  have  read  somewhere  of  a  Roman  general,  whose  army 
had  been  overthrown  by  a  powerful  foe,  and  although  he 
himself  escaped  from  the  hazards  and  desperations  of  the 
battle-field,  was  ever  after  in  a  constant  state  of  terror  and 
alarm,  as  if  he  heard  the  clangor  of  trumpets  and  the  noise 
of  a  pursuing  foe ;  and,  like  many  an  awakened  sinner  of 
the  nineteenth  century,  he  had  no  cessation  of  his  disqui- 
etudes, unless  when  under  the  influence  of  wine  or  sleep. 

Leaving  wine  and  sleep  out  of  the  question,  it  was  thus 
with  your  friend.  The  waves  are  his  enemies,  and  he  has 
often  been  in  the  pell-mell  of  their  congregated  regiments, 
and,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  slight  skirmishes  on  some 
of  the  North  American  lakes,  he  has  always  been  defeated ; 
in  spite  of  all  the  hosts  of  philosophical  and  energetical 
thoughts  he  could  muster  for  the  conflict,  he  has  ever  been 
compelled  to  surrender  or  retreat  in  disgrace.  His  mind  is 
therefore  always  in  a  state  of  consternation,  when  within  the 
territories  of  his  determined  foes. 

Only  read  the  following  lines,  which  I  scribbled  a  few  years 
ago,  when  my  feet  were  once  more  placed  firmly  on  terra 
firma^  and  I  could  sing  defiance  to  my  raging  enemies :  — 

It  was  sunrise, 
And  the  tenth  morning's  dawn  had  brightened 
The  dark  vapors,  which  crept  along  the 
Far  extended  swell  on  Ocean's  bosom. 
Along  the  sky,  from  south  to  west,  the  clouds 
Portentously  were  spread  in  massive  tiers  ; 
The  winds  lay  hushed  amid  their  many  folds, 
And,  like  a  mighty  host  entrenched,  armed, 
Ready  for  the  battle. 

The  sun  arose,  as  if  from  out  the  deep. 
Encompassed  by  a  mob  of  waves  —  angry  waves, 
Whose  altitude  and  violence,  a  man  of  wit 
Declared  treason  and  outright  rebellion 
Against  the  King  of  Day ;  while  he,  in  giant  power, 
Ascended  still,  and  down  on  crested  foes, 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  221 

And  noisy  tumult,  scowled  defiance. 

The  half-formed  bow  of  Omnipotence  glowed 

On  the  floating  fountains  of  the  lowering  heavens. 

Thunders  uttered  their  threat' ning  murmurs, 

Artillery-like,  their  distant  roar,  without 

The  flashing  of  their  forked  fires.    Rushing  winds 

Arranged  the  clouds  as  armies,  front  to  front, 

In  dread  array,  charging,  then  retiring, 

Or  joining  still  in  mighty  phalanx. 

The  sea  itself  was  troubled, 
And  mirrored  in  its  long  continuous  heave, 
The  dismal  draperj'  of  the  scowling  sky ; 
Our  gallant  ship  looked  awfully  timid,  her 
Snow-white  wings  suspiciously  contracted 
Within  the  circle  of  her  trembling  womb. 
Deep  thought  was  seated  on  the  helmsman's  face, 
As  ever  and  anon  he  eyed  the  angel 
Fingers  of  the  inspired  guide  of  him 
Who  ploughs  the  surface  of  the  briny  deep, 
And  to  the  windward  heavens  tui'ned  a 
Pitiful,  foreboding  look,  and  thought  of  home. 

It  was  a  solemn  hour, 
And  solemn  seemed  the  jovial  sons  of  Neptune, 
Each  at  his  post  in  mute  attention, 
Prompt  to  obey  each  stern  command  ;  though 
On  the  bending  top-mast,  or  swinging  on 
The  yard's  arm  —  reeling  to  and  fro  amidst 
The  gath'ring  storm,  —  or  on  the  wave-washed  deck. 
Ready  ever,  —  always  willing,  —  though  in 
Performance  of  his  arduous  duty ; 
The  headlong  plunge  is  made  resistless  — 
Deep  into  the  yawning  gulfs  beneath. 

Awful  was  the  moment, 
When  the  Father  of  the  skies  his  grasp  unloosed 
Of  the  mighty  winds,  and  let  them  use  their  power : 
Heaven's  sounding  squadrons  through  the  concaved 
Dome,  pealed  their  dreadful  notes  ;  and  down 
On  rifted  deep  and  reelmg  vessel  came 
With  one  tremendous  roar ;  and  in  tumultuous 
Confusion  tossed  the  troubled  atmosphere, 
And  hurried  forth  the  wheeling  clouds,  to  seize 
Upon  the  tops  of  congregated  billows,  — 
Upward  whirling  them  'mid  vapors,  foam  and  storm. 

19* 


g22  MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND. 

The  liquid  mountains  and  the  cleaving  valleys 
Seemed,  in  their  fury,  willing  to  let  us  touch  the 
Coral  rocks,  or  pick  the  gems  from  ocean's  bottom ; 
But  rapid  as  the  rushing  terrors  of  the  storm, 
Drove  our  straining  vessel  up  the  steeps  again, 
In  wild  amaze  to  mingle  with  the  skies ; 
A  moment  there —  of  peril  and  dismay, 
And  suddenly,  away  from  off  that  foaming  peak. 
She  came,  like  avalanche  from  Alpine  mountain  brow, 
In  one  terrific  sweep  into  the  black  abyss. 

A  fearful  crisis  this  ! 
The  war  of  winds  and  waves  is  ever  awful, 
But  dreadful  was  this  elemental  climax  — 
The  shrill  cry  of  distress  mingled  horribly 
With  the  loud  bellowings  of  the  maddened  deep. 
The  creakings  of  the  frictioned  timbers  kept 
Awful  time  to  tattered  sails,  cracking  like  whips 
Around  the  naked  masts. 

It  was  an  hour  of  terror. 
Infidelity  turned  pale,  and  vice  became  unmasked. 
And  every  man  Avas  honest  with  himself  and  God. 
Too  late,  how  many  found  opinions  valueless. 
Such  vain  conceits  and  lying  vanities 
Might  do  on  land  —  on  sea,  when  all  was  calm. 
And  death  far  off";  —  but  now  in  dread  extremity, 
To  still  the  conscience,  or  to  soothe  the  mind. 
Utterly  incapable.    In  time  of  greatest  need, 
Defective  most :  'midst  aggravated  roar  of 
Conflicting  winds  and  all-involving  billows. 
The  wretched  soul  was  left  a  helpless  prey. 
Close  upon  life's  verge,  naked,  cold,  and  trembling; 
Poised  upon  eternity's  dread  brink  ;  refuge  none. 
By  first  and  second  death  at  once  invaded : 
Till  wilhng,  by  the  promptings  of  a  black  despair, 
To  take  into  eternal  night,  the  awful  leap, 
Shrieking  in  horror,  forsaken  and  alone  I 

And  it  was  a  time. 
When  Christianity  shone  with  splendor. 
While  I  could  read  the  troubled  souls,  even  in 
The  very  countenances  of  the  sons  of  Mammon ; 
And  hear  the  sinner  pray,  who  never  prayed  before 
I  heai-d  the  Christian  claim,  with  confidence, 
Help  from  Him  who  rode  upon  the  stormy  sky, 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  223 

The  raging  of  the  mighty  seas,  whose  power  could  calm, 
Or  elevate  the  soul  abore  the  tempest's  wail, 
To  hope  in  God,  and  clap  her  wings  of  joy. 
And  I  could  see  Religion,  daughter  of  the  skies, 
Bending  o'er  the  mountain  surges,  holding 
Sweet  converse  with  breast's  monitor,  conscience, 
Whispering  a  peace,  Avhich  stood  unshaken  amidst 
The  strife  of  elements  and  peals  of  death  ! 

At  a  certain  point  toward  evening,  we  gradually  retired 
from  the  land,  and  as  we  were  losing  sight  of  old  Ireland,  a 
little  bird  came  off  on  full  wing,  reached  us,  and  fluttered 
around  the  rigging,  as  if  desirous  to  rest  its  weary  pinions  ; 
but  seeing  such  a  formidable  assemblage  on  the  deck,  it 
poised  wing,  and  was  borne  along  on  the  increasing  breeze  out 
to  sea.  For  a  time  it  appeared  a  black  spot,  and  as  it  be- 
came scarcely  discernible,  and  we  were  sympathizing  with  its 
dreary  prospects  should  it  continue  in  that  direction,  it  began 
to  increase  in  bulk,  and  after  a  serious  struggle  with  the  gale, 
arrived  within  the  rigging  again,  and  dropped  down  into  a 
recess  in  the  lee  side  of  the  Avindward  bulwarks,  a  few  feet 
from  the  deck,  and  concealed  itself  behind  some  ropes.  After 
a  while,  it  arranged  its  plumage,  and  prepared  itself  in  the 
most  contented  manner  for  a  quiet  night's  rest ;  but  a  cabin 
boy  came  and  seized  the  little  stranger ;  we  immediately  took 
its  part,  and  insisted  he  should  put  it  back  again  into  the 
berth  of  its  choice  ;  but  on  his  promising  to  set  it  at  liberty 
when  near  the  coast  of  Wales,  we  permitted  him  to  bear  it  off. 

I  remarked  to  a  friend  that  this  incident  brought  forcibly 
to  my  mind  the  conduct  of  an  awakened  sinner ;  that  I  had 
seen  many  an  unhappy  penitent  borne  away  from  the  devil's 
territories  by  the  powerful  gales  of  the  Spirit,  John  iii.  8, 
and  when  about  to  find  rest  to  his  soul,  doubt  and  despair  have 
come  upon  him,  and  he  has  fled  away  from  the  sight  and 
sound  of  salvation ;  and  when  the  saints  of  God  have  been 
mourning  on  account  of  the  dreadful  destiny  that  awaited 


224  MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND. 

him,  if  he  continued  to  fly  away  from  the  gospel  hope,  they 
have  seen  him  returning,  faint,  weary,  and  heavy  laden, 
glad  to  come  aboard  of  "Zion's  ship,"  saying  with  the  poet: 

"j  Loosed  from  God,  and  far  removed, 

Long  have  I  wandered  to  and  fro  ; 
O'er  earth  in  endless  circles  roved, 

Nor  found  whereon  to  rest  below  ; 
Back  to  my  God  at  last  I  fly, 
For  0,  the  waters  still  are  high  I 

"  Selfish  pursuits,  and  nature's  maze. 

The  things  of  earth,  for  thee  I  leave : 
Put  forth  thy  hand,  thy  hand  of  grace ; 

Into  the  ark  of  love  receive  ! 
Take  this  poor  fluttering  soul  to  rest. 
And  lodge  it,  Saviour,  in  thy  breast !  " 

Kext  day,  Oct.  30th,  (1842,)  we  landed  at  Liverpool; 
and  that  evening  attended  divine  service  in  the  Wesleyan 
chapel,  (Brunswick,)  and  heard  a  most  powerful  sermon 
from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beaumont.  My  friend,  Mr.  Fannin,  whom 
I  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  this  letter,  introduced  me 
to  the  Doctor  before  sermon.  He  gave  me  a  very  cordial 
welcome  to  England,  and  invited  me  to  preach  for  him  ;  this 
I  refused,  but  afterwards  assisted  him  in  the  prayer  meeting. 

On  Monday,  Mr.  Fannin  insisted  I  should  leave  my  hotel, 
and  make  his  house  in  Brougham  terrace  my  home  ;  which  I 
accepted,  and  am  now  comfortably  situated  in  a  pleasant 
part  of  the  town,  and  with  a  very  agreeable  and  interesting 
family. 

With  regard  to  my  prospects  of  doing  good  in  this  town, 
they  are  very  dark  at  present.  Having  had  no  official  invita- 
tion to  visit  Liverpool,  nor  any  acquaintance  with  the  Wes- 
leyan Ministers  stationed  here,  excepting  the  Rev.  A.  E. 
Farrar,  superintendent  of  the  north  circuit,  to  whom  I  had  an 
introduction,  when  on  his  missionary  deputation  in  Ireland,  a 
few  months  since,  renders  the  case  rather  perplexing.      My 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  225 

mind  is  strongly  impressed  to  remain  ;  —  that  God  has  a  work 
for  me  to  do  here ;  but,  I  fear,  if  the  door  does  not  soon 
open,  the  devil  will  take  the  advantage,  and  attack  me  as  in 
Dublin.  I  have  had  an  interview  mth  the  Rev.  A.  E.  Far- 
rar,  who  expresses  an  ardent  desire  for  a  revival,  but  we 
have  not,  as  yet,  been  able  to  fix  upon  any  plan  of  special 
eflfort  for  the  salvation  of  sinners.  My  health,  thank  God,  is 
excellent.  My  mind  seems  to  be  under  a  singular  prohibi- 
tion, respecting  leaving  this  town  ;  so  that  I  am  unable  to 
give  you  the  least  information  as  to  my  future  movements. 
This  uncertainty  is  painful ;  but  the  Lord  knows  what  kind  of 
discipline  is  best  for  his  weak  servant.     I  need  your  prayers. 

The  foregoing  part  of  this  chapter  is  from  a  letter  to  an 
American  friend ;  what  now  follows  is  from  a  letter  to  his 
sister,  and  describes  his  mental  struggles  very  touchingly, 
before  his  way  was  fully  opened  in  England.  These  strug- 
gles, however,  led  him  to  a  continued  walk  of  faith.  God 
was  true  to  his  promise,  and  again  furnished  him  with  open- 
ings and  opportunities.  Faith  was  victorious  over  sight. 
But  we  must  allow  him  to  tell  his  own  story :  — 

I  landed  in  this  port  from  Cork  on  the  30th  of  October, 
and  once  more  walked  the  streets  of  Liverpool,  a  solitary 
stranger,  but  in  a  much  happier  state  of  mind  than  when  last 
here.  Soon  after  my  arrival,  the  Lord  provided  me  a  home 
in  an  excellent  family,  where  I  have  since  remained.  Many 
sore  exercises  of  mind  have  been  my  lot,  since  my  second 
visit  to  England.  It  would  appear  as  if  the  devil  were  deter- 
mined to  contest  this  ground  with  me  in  a  fiercer  manner 
than  in  Dublin.  I  have  groaned,  and  prayed,  and  wept 
much.  You  know  the  hastiness  of  my  disposition,  how  apt 
to  decide  quickly,  and  act  promptly.  This  peculiarity  of  my 
temperament  would  have  driven  me  out  of  Liverpool,  had  it 


226  MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND. 

not  been  for  a  deep  conviction  tliat  God  has  a  work  for  me 
to  do  here.  Even  up  till  now,  I  would  gladly  retreat,  but 
dare  not. 

On  Sabbath  night,  November  6th,  I  crossed  the  river 
Mersey,  to  the  Cheshire  side,  walked  to  the  Wesleyan 
chapel,  Woodside,  and  opened  my  commission  in  England, 
with  that  text,  2  Peter  ii.  9.  The  above  passage  has  often 
been  a  comfort  to  me  in  days  of  temptation,  years  gone  by, 
and  I  chose  it  on  this  occasion  on  my  own  behalf,  and  was 
much  comforted.  An  influence  from  God  evidently  rested 
upon  the  people,  and  could  the  blow  have  been  repeated, 
many  sinners,  I  doubt  not,  would  have  been  saved. 

Monday  night,  preached  in  Great  Homer  street  chapel, 
Liverpool.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Farrar  was  present,  and  many  of 
the  leaders  and  local  preachers,  and  a  good  congregation  ; 
text,  1  Cor.  X.  15.  In  this  sermon,  I  endeavored  to  lay 
down  a  few  great  principles,  and  the  Lord  applied  the  whole 
by  his  Spirit ;  afterwards  we  had  a  powerful  prayer  meeting, 
but  none  converted. 

Mr.  Farrar  and  his  official  board  were  unanimously  of 
opinion,  that  a  special  effort  should  now  be  made  for  a 
revival,  and  that  the  meetings  should  be  continued  in  this 
chapel. 

During  the  first  week  we  had  small  congregations ;  my 
soul  was  much  assisted  from  on  high ;  glad  of  an  opportunity 
of  using  those  weapons  which  are  not  carnal,  "  but  mighty 
through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong  holds."  The 
week  ended,  and  we  had  only  one  sinner  converted.  Sab- 
bath, 13th,  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  to  the  sailors,  aboard 
of  the  Bethel  ship,  having  been  invited  to  do  so  by  Captain 
Hudson,  chaplain  for  the  port.  We  had  a  very  gracious 
season.  The  services,  during  the  ensuing  week,  were  inter- 
fered with  by  tea  meetmgs  for  important  purposes ;  and  no 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  22T 

sinners,  I  believe,  were  converted.  The  following  Sabbath 
evening,  the  Lord  opened  my  way  to  Great  Homer  street 
chapel  pulpit,  and  there  was  a  shaking  among  the  dry  bones  ; 
text,  1  Kings  xviii.  21 ;  and  from  that  night  the  work  of 
God  has  advanced  with  majesty  and  power. 

Last  Sabbath  afternoon,  I  met  those  who  had  found  mercy 
since  the  7th  of  November.  The  meeting  for  the  young 
converts  was  conducted  in  a  similar  manner  to  that  I 
described  in  Cork.  One  hundred  and  thirteen  persons  came 
forward,  and  m  the  most  distinct  manner,  and  with  many 
tears,  declared,  that  God  for  Christ's  sake  had  pardoned 
their  sins.  Many  who  had  found  salvation,  but  who  did  not 
imderstand  the  nature  of  the  meeting,  were  not  present ;  but 
thirty  additional  persons  gave  their  names  in  the  evening,  as 
trophies  of  redeeming  love.     All  glory  be  to  God  ! 

It  would  be  impossible,  my  dear  sister,  to  tell  you  how 
severely,  and  on  how  many  points,  the  adversary  has  harass- 
ed me,  during  these  few  weeks  I  have  been  in  England,  but 
all  his  attempts  to  discourage  me  have  driven  me  nearer  to 
God.  Part  of  each  forenoon  was  spent  upon  my  knees, 
crying  to  God  for  Liverpool,  and  a  fuller  baptism  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  upon  my  own  soul. 

The  Lord,  during  these  seasons  of  conflict,  gave  several 
helps  to  my  faith.  Perhaps  the  following  may  be  interesting 
to  you.  One  day  a  stranger  came  into  my  room,  and  said, 
"  Sir,  a  few  weeks  before  you  arrived  in  this  town,  I  had  a 
singular  dream.  I  thought  I  was  passing  up  a  certain  street, 
when  I  saw  two  immense  flames  arising  from  each  side  ;  one 
was  of  a  bluish  color,  and  filled  me  with  horror  ;  the  appear- 
ance of  the  other  flame  was  quite  difierent.  These  flames 
met  in  terrible  contention,  and  filled  the  street,  so  that  to 
pass  seemed  impossible.  It  was  suggested  to  my  mind  by 
some  one  near,  '  You  must  not  attempt  to  pass,  or  you  will 


228  MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND. 

be  burned.'  I  replied,  that  pass  I  would,  and  pass  I  did, 
while  the  flames  played  around  my  shoulders  ;  but  when  I 
got  through  there  was  not  a  singe,  nor  smell  of  fire  upon  my 
garments,  and  I  distinctly  heard  a  voice,  saying,  '  Glory  be 
to  God !'  And,  Sir,  the  first  night  you  preached  in  Great 
Homer  street  chapel,  I  heard  you,  and  the  moment  your 
voice  reached  my  ear,  I  recognized  it  as  the  voice  I  heard 
in  my  dream,  saying,  '  Glory  be  to  God !'  and  now.  Sir, 
thank  God,  through  your  instrumentality,  I  have  obtained  a 
clear  sense  of  the  remission  of  my  sins,  with  the  pardonmg 
love  of  God." 

The  great  Dr.  Johnson  used  to  say,  "  Do  not  wholly  be- 
lieve dreams,  for  they  may  be  false ;  but  do  not  entirely 
reject  them,  because  they  may  be  true." 

The  remainder  of  this  chapter  is  from  a  letter  to  a  friend, 
and  describes  his  movements  in  Liverpool  up  to  January  3, 
1843. 

The  Lord  has  opened  a  great  and  effectual  door  for  me  in 
Liverpool.  The  enemy  opposed  me  most  seriously,  and  en- 
deavored in  various  ways  to  shut  the  door  of  usefulness,  and 
insinuated  that  he  would  completely  block  up  my  way  in 
England ;  but  the  promise  I  received  in  Ireland  stood  fast, 
and  was  the  "  sheet  anchor  "  of  my  soul.  Isaiah  xxii.  22, 
and  Rev.  iii.  7,  8.  On  the  13th  of  last  December,  Isaiah 
liv.  17,  was  given  to  me,  '•'  No  weapon  that  is  formed  against 
thee  shall  prosper,"  and  has  rested  sweetly  upon  my  mind 
since.  In  the  time  of  extremity,  God  came  down  in  power 
and  arrested  scores  of  sinners,  and  surrounded  us  with  the 
tears  and  cries  of  imploring  penitents.  This  was  such  a 
demonstration  of  the  presence  and  approbation  of  God  that 
few  could  withstand,  except  those  who  were  entrenched  at 
home,  and  amused  themselves  with  the  strange  and  garbled 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  229 

reports  which  were  put  in  circulation.  The  Rev.  A.  E. 
Farrar,  the  Superintendent,  pronounced  it  at  once  a  special 
work  of  God,  and  among  friends  and  foes  stood  up  for  the 
revival  most  nobly,  as  did  also  his  excellent  colleagues,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Beaumont,  and  the  Rev.  John  H.  James. 

After  spending  about  five  weeks  upon  what  is  called  here 
the  "  North  Circuit,"  and  many  sinners  were  converted  to 
God,  a  deputation  of  Leaders  from  the  "  South  Circuit " 
waited  upon  me,  with  a  request  to  spend  a  few  weeks  with 
them ;  saying,  "  Come,  Sir,  and  let  the  revival  flame  be 
kindled  at  different  points,  and  God  may  set  the  town  in  a 
blaze."  As  Mr.  Farrar  had  advised  me,  by  all  means,  to 
visit  the  South  Circuit,  should  an  invitation  come  from  the 
proper  authority,  I  agreed,  provided  the  Superintendent 
was  willing.  "VVe  therefore  walked  down  to  see  the  Rev. 
WilHam  Atherton,  who  received  us  politely,  and  though  evi- 
dently not  at  all  enthusiastic  upon  the  subject,  yielded  to  the 
request  of  the  Leaders,  and  your  friend  received  an  official 
permission  to  preach  the  gospel  of  the  kmgdom  on  that  side 
of  the  town.  His  colleagues,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Hargreaves, 
and  the  Rev.  Henry  H.  Chettle,  were  not  present  during  the 
interview,  but  I  had  the  pleasure  of  an  introduction  to  them 
afterwards. 

That  very  night,  m  Pitt  street  chapel,  a  few  hot  shot  from 
the  walls  of  Zion  were  thrown  into  the  entrenchments  of  the 
devil's  children,  and  four  of  them  cried  out  for  mercy  — 

"  Wounded  by  the  Spirit's  sword, 
And  then  by  Gilead's  balm  restored  " — 

One  of  them  an  old  woman  of  seventy-two.  Shortly  after 
we  began  m  the  above  chapel,  I  was  taken  with  a  severe 
hoarseness,  in  consequence  of  having  to  walk  some  distance 
after  preaching,  and  being  a  little  careless  withal.  It  con- 
20 


230  MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND. 

fined  me  two  nights  to  my  room,  but  in  answer  to  the  prayer 
of  faith,  and  the  use  of  means,  (inhaUng  the  vapor,  caused 
by  a  red  hot  poker  in  a  mug  of  tar,  and,  at  certain  intervals, 
sipping  a  httle  flax-seed  tea,  made  to  the  consistence  of 
honey,)  I  regained  my  voice,  and  we  continued  the  battle 
with  vigor.  During  the  first  week,  we  had  twenty  con- 
verted ;  the  next  week  seventy ;  and  the  week  after,  more 
than  forty. 

On  the  night  of  the  31st  of  December,  I  assisted  one  of 
the  preachers  in  holding  a  watch  night  in  Pitt  street  chapel. 
Altogether,  it  was  one  of  the  most  singular  of  the  kind  I  had 
ever  attended.  Several  exhortations  were  given,  but  the 
"  direct  aim  "  was  wanting,  and  I  fear  your  friend  was  quite 
as  deficient  as  his  brethren.  We  seemed  afraid  of  each 
other,  and  did  nothing.  When  the  new  year  was  ushered 
in,  and  part  of  the  immense  crowd  had  retired,  God  enabled 
me  to  break  through  the  infernal  oppression  which  rested 
upon  us,  and  in  a  few  minutes,  we  had  the  altar  filled  with 
weeping  penitents,  and  several  obtained  salvation.  I  retir.  d 
to  rest,  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  much  cast  down 
by  reflecting  upon  the  comparative  failure  upon  such  an 
important  night. 

On  the  following  day,  I  assisted  one  of  the  preachers  in 
the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  at  Wesley  chapel. 
Stanhope  street,  and  enjoyed  a  very  solemn  season  in  "  the 
renewal  of  the  covenant."  The  latter  is  a  most  impressive 
service,  and  why  it  has  not  been  incorporated  into  the  usages 
of  American  Methodism,  I  cannot  tell  ;  of  the  gracious 
effects,  there  can  be  no  question.  I  shall  bring  with  me  on 
my  return  a  copy  of  the  Covenant. 

New  Year's  Day  night,  I  preached  in  the  Mount  Pleasant 
chapel  to  a  crowded  congregation.  Twelve  sinners  were 
converted  to  God. 


MR.    CAUGHEY   IN   ENGLAND.  231 

Up  to  this  time,  not  less  than  two  hundred  and  seventy 
sinners  have  been  converted  ;  but  only  one  hundred  and 
thirty  of  these  are  from  the  world  ;  the  remainder  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Wesleyan  church.  I  am  amazed  at  this  ;  but  so 
it  was  in  the  cities  I  visited  in  Ireland.  Certainly  this  was 
a  large  number  to  be  meeting  in  class  without  conversion.  I 
have  had  some  tribulation  to  endure,  since  my  arrival  here. 
Much  from  my  great  adversary,  and  some  from  poor  human 
nature,  warped  by  various  prejudices.  My  position  is  a  sin- 
gular one,  though  I  trust  in  the  order  of  God,  else  I  would 
very  soon  return  to  America ;  but  it  is  not  understood  in 
Liverpool ;  nor  would  it  be  becoming,  I  fear,  to  appear 
anxious  to  set  matters  in  a  clearer  hght,  unless  it  were 
requested.  The  voice  of  the  Lord  in  my  conscience  seems 
to  be,  "  Mind  the  one  work,  for  the  accomplishment  of  which 
you  have  been  sent ;  you  have  nothing  to  do  either  with  the 
opening  or  shutting  of  the  door,  so  long  as  you  are  faithful 
in  saving  souls."  The  opinions  about  me  are  various,  and 
some  things  to  me  are  inexplicable ;  and  if  any  thing,  in 
some  sort,  throws  a  ray  of  light  upon  them,  it  is,  that  I  am 
sure  there  is  nothing  personal  designed  ;  only  what  is  con- 
sidered by  some  "  good  policy."  This  reflection  relieves  my 
mind,  and  enables  me  to  exercise  that  charity  which  "  bear- 
eth  all  things,  believeth  all  things  " — the  best  of  every  man, 
so  as  to  put  a  good  construction  even  upon  the  greatest  para- 
doxes— "  hopeth  all  things,  endure th  all  things."  I  know 
my  eye  is  single.  The  salvation  of  lost  sinners  is  my  steady, 
constant  aim ;  but  as  all  cannot  see  my  heart,  it  would  be 
WTong  in  me  to  fret  with  those  who  cannot  appreciate  my 
motives,  nor,  for  the  present,  sympathize  with  my  move- 
ments. My  soul  is  greatly  humbled  before  the  Lord ;  but  I 
am  his,  and  he  is  mine.  This  is  settled,  therefore  I  will 
rejoice,  and  be  glad  in  the  Rock  of  my  salvation. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

ARGUMENTS   WITH  THE   ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS. 

The  succeeding  chapter  presents  a  new  phase  in  the 
character  of  our  Revivahst.  He  is  in  the  arena  of  contro- 
versy, contending  nobly  with  the  adversaries  whom  Satan 
raised  up  in  Liverpool  to  buffet  him.  It  would  appear  that 
these  enemies  assaulted  him  with  a  variety  of  objections  to 
his  manner,  his  mode  of  procedure,  his  style  of  preaching, 
and  even  to  the  astonishing  results  of  his  labors.  To  these 
missives  he  replied  in  a  masterly  manner,  as  the  reader 
will  see.  I  do  not  remember  any  work  which  deals  so 
tersely,  and  so  effectually  with  revival  objections,  as  Mr. 
Caughey  has  done  in  these  letters.  He  wastes  no  words ; 
he  resorts  to  none  of  the  intricacies  of  logic ;  but  simply 
grasps  his  opponent's  objection  with  a  hand,  conscious  of 
superior  strength,  and  forthwith  it  shrinks  and  cowers  in 
abject  submission  before  him.  I  think  this  chapter  will 
become  an  armory  of  choice,  defensive  weapons  for  the  friends 
of  revivals. 

The  reader  must  bear  in  mind,  that  the  objections  here  met 
were  sent  to  Mr.  Caughey  by  different  persons,  to  whom  he 
wrote  these  replies.  Hence  he  does  not  always  state  them 
in  due  form,  but  they  may  be  easily  gathered  from  the 
replies,  by  a  reflective  mind.  The  abruptness  with  which  he 
presents  them  is,  as  the  reader  has  already  learned,  his 
pecuharity.  If  not  consistent  with  elegance,  it  at  least 
232 


ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS.       233 

favors  brevity.  As  usual,  I  have  blended  the  letters  into 
one  continuous  chapter.  They  were  all  dated  from  Liverpool 
during  the  winter  and  spring  of  1843. 

Your  objections  are  not  worthy  of  attention ;  but  are  you 
not  on  some  points  rather  too  severe  ?  at  least,  over  positive  ? 
Read  again  the  following :  "  I  am  convinced  many  persons 
are  merely  frightened  into  a  reUgious  life,  by  the  smgular 
services."  This  is  the  mere  echo  of  your  friend,  Mr.  *  *  *, 
who  says,  "  when  the  terrors  are  off  them,  they  will  be  as 
bad  as  ever."  Perhaps  not ;  they  may  linger  around  their 
hearts  till  they  change  worlds.  But  many  of  them  are 
entirely  delivered  from  "  the  terrors,"  and  are  rejoicing 
with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  I  have  heard  scores 
of  them  bless  God  they  ever  heard  the  voice  that  terrified 
them.  This  shows  they  are  neither  displeased  nor  tired  of 
the  fright. 

"  When  you  leave  Liverpool,  the  results  will  be  woeful 
enough."  It  is  well  if  you  do  not  desire  your  prophecies  to 
be  fulfilled,  that  you  may  have  it  to  say,  "  I  knew  it  would 
be  so." 

"  What  man  of  reading  and  intelHgence,  who  attends 
these  meetings,  can  leave  them  without  a  conviction  that 
there  is  a  constant  aim  to  excite  the  passions  ?"  There  are 
very  many  intelHgent  people  who  frequent  these  services, 
think  quite  differently. 

"  How  httle  respect  is  paid  to  the  understanding.  Proofs 
of  the  existence  of  a  God,  immortahty  of  the  soul,  divine 
authenticity  of  the  scriptures,  etc.,  are  banished  from  the 
pulpit,  where  once  they  shone  in  all  their  glory."  These 
are  by  no  means  neglected,  but  they  are  not  discussed  as 
they  should  be  to  ignorant  pagans.  Ninety-nine  out  of  a 
hundred  of  those  who  attend  these  services  regularly,  beheve 
20* 


234      ARGUMENTS   WITH  THE  ENEMIES   OP  REVIVALS. 

these  articles  of  our  creed.  We  know  this  to  be  a  fact. 
There  are,  however,  thousands  who  can  bear  witness  that  the 
judgments  of  the  hearers,  and  the  doctrines  of  which  you 
speak,  have  not  been  disregarded ;  yet  I  freely  admit,  my 
object  has  been  to  drive  down  into  the  heart  the  knowledge 
of  the  head ;  that  is,  to  make  them  feel  what  they  already 
know.  If  this  is  what  you  mean  by  exciting  the  passions,  I 
must  plead  guilty. 

The  sentiments  of  a  minister,  now  with  God,  are  worth 
hearing ;  they  once  stumbled  me,  but  I  can  well  understand 
them  now.  "  You  may  prove  this,  confirm  or  confute  that, 
but  who  hates  his  sins  ?  Who  cries  for  mercy  ?  Who  turns 
to  God  ?  Sinners  may  as  well  be  hearkening  to  a  mathema- 
tician demonstrating  Euchd's  Elements,  as  to  a  preacher 
only  proving  a  point  of  Christianity.  When  I  was  a  young 
man  I  endeavored  to  drive  religion  into  the  heads  of  my 
hearers,  but  I  have  given  that  up,  and  having  learned  a  little 
more  wisdom,  I  attack  the  heart  only,  and  labor  with  all  my 
might  to  melt  them  down  in  the  tenderest  manner,  till  they 
cry  out,  '  I  have  need  of  every  thing  God  has  done  for  me.'  " 

Why  detain  a  man  to  hear  you  prove  that  to  which  he 
readily  assents  ?  What  better  way  to  drive  a  man  to  his 
feet,  or  knees,  than  to  make  him  feel  that  it  is  his  duty  and 
interest  to  allow  his  belief  to  exert  an  entire  influence  over 
his  affections  and  life  ? 

*'  And  o'er  the  sinner's  naked  heart, 
Scatter  the  livhig  coals  of  truth." 

"  Such  crushing  and  crowding,  —  our  chapels  will  be  ruined." 
They  were  built  for  this  purpose,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  they 
will  be  standing  when  you  and  I  are  in  our  graves. 

"  We  were  going  on  quietly,  and  could  worship  God  com- 
fortably before  this  stir."  This  may  be  correct,  but  it  is  no 
less  true  that  sinners  were  going  to  hell  by  thousands. 


ARGUMENTS   WITH  THE  ENEMIES   OP  BEVIVALS.      235 

"  Now,  all  is  confusion ;  families  and  servants  are  dis- 
tracted and  uncontrollable,  and  the  town  is  likely  to  be  in  an 
uproar."  Perhaps  you  have  not  seen  a  late  German  writer 
on  this  subject.  He  can  help  you  to  a  few  ideas.  Hear 
him :  "  Faithful  ministers  are  often  storm-birds,  or  messen- 
gers of  misfortune.  The  preaching  of  the  gospel  by  them 
is  like  the  sinking  of  a  burning  mountain  in  the  sea ;  sleep- 
ers awake,  and  the  dry  bones  arc  stirred.  On  such  occa- 
sions the  thoughts  of  many  hearts  are  revealed.  0  what 
divisions  of  heart  may  we  then  witness  !  but  the  awakening 
preachers  are  regarded  as  the  offending  parties.  '  The  men 
who  have  turned  the  world  upside  down  have  come  hither 
also.' " 

"  These  frenzied  and  mystical  declamations  respecting 
hell,"  — Hold !  do  you  believe  there  is  such  a  place  as  hell 
in  eternity  ?  The  same  as  is  represented  in  the  Scriptures  ? 
That  sinners  are  in  as  great  danger  of  falHng  into  it  now  as 
1800  years  ago  ?  If  you  deny  this,  I  have  nothing  more  to 
say  to  you  in  self-defence.  We  must  occupy  different  posi- 
tions in  regard  to  truth  and  duty,  and  the  question  in  debate 
must  be  changed.  But  I  shall  take  it  for  granted  that  you 
beUeve  the  above  propositions.  How  then  are  men  to  be 
warned  of  such  a  dreadful  reahty  ? 

Allowing  that  thousands  of  these  Liverpool  sinners,  who 
eagerly  crowd  to  hear  the  truth,  are  every  moment  in  jeop- 
ardy of  falling  into  hell,  how  are  they  to  be  aroused  to  a 
sense  of  their  danger  ?  By  any  other  mode  of  voice  and  feel- 
ing than  what  a  firm  belief  in  such  an  awful  hell  would  natu- 
rally excite  ?  Should  a  watchman,  at  midnight,  discover  a 
house  in  flames  over  a  sleeping  family,  how  would  you  have 
him  alarm  the  unconscious  inmates  ?  "I  would  have  him 
cry.  Fire  !  fire  !  fire  !"  "  Cry !"  would  you  have  him  cry  ? 
But  not  like  a  man  asleep,  or  drmik,  or  in  jest,  or  afraid  of 


236      ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS. 

hurting  their  feelings,  but  in  good  earnest,  and  at  the  top  of 
his  voice,  ''  Fire  !  fire  ! !  fire  ! ! !"  "  But  the  danger  is  not 
so  great."  Are  you  sure  of  that  ?  Is  there  no  family,  or 
sinner  in  jeopardy  of  eternal  burning  among  the  multitudes 
who  hear  me  from  night  to  night  ?  The  thread  of  life  is  a 
brittle  affair :  — 

"  And  death,  that  flings  at  all, 
Stands  armed  to  strike  them  down,  and  flames 
Attend  their  fall." 

I  may  not  be  long  away  from  Liverpool,  before  the  sudden 
death  of  some  of  these  sinners,  shall  prove  the  dreadful  truth 
of  the  sentiment.  Ay,  and  the  triumphant  exit  of  several  of 
these  young  converts  may  prove  the  time  of  their  conver- 
sion to  have  been  a  momentous  crisis  in  their  history.  But 
to  return.  I  once  discovered  a  building  on  fire,  with  a 
number  of  wooden  houses  close  by,  and  a  heavy  south  wind 
to  drive  the  flames  onward.  I  awoke  the  neighborhood  with 
a  cry  of  fire,  and  saved  the  place.  But  no  one  blamed  me 
for  treating  the  matter  as  a  reality.  The  same  people,  how- 
ever, complained  loudly  when  I  warned  them  of  the  danger 
of  falUng  into  hell  with  similar  earnestness.  Query,  did 
they  believe  in  a  hell  of  fire,  and  that  their  souls  were  more 
valuable  than  their  endangered  property  ?  Did  they  not 
rather  consider  the  loss  of  eternal  life  of  less  consequence 
than  that  of  temporal  hfe  ?  "A  man  may  tell  you,"  says 
a  writer,  "  your  house  is  on  fire  in  such  a  way  as  to  make 
quite  an  opposite  impression,  and  you  will  take  it  for  gi'anted 
that  your  house  is  not  on  fire."  May  we  not  warn  sinners 
in  the  same  way,  and  make  an  impression  exactly  similar  ? 
I  have  heard  of  two  young  men  who  were  carting  gravel 
from  a  pit.  One  of  them  met  his  companion  returning  with 
a  load,  whom  he  saluted  as  they  passed :  "  Your  cart  will 
break  down."     A  short  distance  from  the  spot  it  came  to 


ARGUMENTS  WITH  THE  ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS.      237 

the  ground  with  a  crash.  When  they  again  met,  the  unfor- 
tunate person  was  accosted,  "  I  told  you  your  cart  would 
break  down.''  "  Yes,  you  told  me,"  was  repHed,  "  but  you 
said  it  in  such  a  manner  that  I  did  not  know  whether  you 
were  in  jest  or  in  earnest.  Why  did  you  not  tell  me  in  such 
a  way  that  I  could  not  but  beheve  you?" 

It  appears  that  you  think  the  Liverpool  sinners  do  not 
misunderstand  me.  Thank  God!  nor  shall  they  while  I 
remain  in  town.  None  of  them  shall  tell  God  Almighty  in 
the  day  of  judgment,  "James  Caughey  warned  me  of  this 
day,  and  of  a  coming  hell,  but  it  was  in  such  a  manner  that 
I  could  not  tell  whether  or  not  he  was  in  earnest."  Why 
should  I  be  called  a  fanatic  for  this  ?  An  eminent  minister, 
now  in  heaven,  once  defended  himself  from  the  charge  of 
enthusiasm,  in  the  following  language:  "Because  I  am  in 
earnest,  men  call  me  an  enthusiast.  When  I  came  into  this 
part  of  the  country  I  was  walking  on  yonder  hill.  I  saw  a 
gravel-pit  fall  and  bury  three  men.  I  lifted  up  my  voice  so 
loud  that  I  was  heard  in  the  town  below,  at  the  distance 
of  a  mile.  Help  came,  and  rescued  two  of  the  poor  suf- 
ferers. No  one  called  me  an  enthusiast  then.  And  when 
I  see  eternal  destruction  awaiting  my  fellow-men,  some 
already  engulfed  in  that  hell,  and  others  under  a  mass  of  sin 
and  wrath  which  shall  speedily  sink  them  there,  and  call 
aloud  for  warning  and  help,  shall  I  be  called  an  enthusiast 
now?" 

Perhaps  you  may  be  inclined  to  make  the  appKcation  in 
my  favor. 

You  reason  well ;  no  rational  man  could  object.  But 
what  has  all  this  to  do  with  the  enlightened  congregation  at 
•  *  *  *  chapel?  Have  they  not  been  sitting  under  the 
sound  of  the  gospel  for  years  ?  Enter  into  conversation  with 
scores  and  hundreds  of  them ;  —  how  clear  their  views  upon 


238      ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS. 

all  the  essential  doctrines  of  Christianity !  A  large  propor- 
tion of  the  young  people  have  been  trained  in  the  Sabbath 
school,  and  are  familiar  with  the  holy  Scriptures.  Many  of 
them  are  moral  and  upright  in  their  conduct,  but  without 
any  internal  religion.  Converse  with  them  closely,  and  they 
will  candidly  admit  they  have  never  been  born  again.  Not 
a  few  members  of  the  society  confess  their  state  unsafe. 
Some,  indeed,  of  that  congregation,  may  doubt  whether  a 
knowledge  of  salvation  by  the  remission  of  sins  can  be  ob- 
tained ;  but  a  vast  majority  allow  even  this.  But  they  are  not 
alarmed  on  the  subject.  Their  hearts  are  still  cold  and  in- 
diflferent.  What  is  to  be  done  ?  Could  you,  or  any  sensible 
man,  believing  the  word  of  God,  forbid  a  minister  to  cry  unto 
the  Lord,  for  an  influence  from  heaven  to  come  down  upon 
these  sinners  ?  On  returning  to  the  pulpit,  should  he  not 
bring  his  God  with  him,  and  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
attempt  to  break  them  down  into  compunction  for  their  sins  ? 
How  can  he  do  this  more  readily,  than  by  seizing  upon  the 
knowledge  already  in  the  head,  as  the  element  of  alarming 
appeals  to  the  conscience  ?  They  have  been  reasoned  with 
till  their  heads  are  as  clear  as  those  of  devils ;  but  their 
hearts  are  like  flint,  and  cold  as  ice.  They  believe  as  cor- 
rectly as  devils  do,  but,  unlike  devils^  there  is  no  trembling. 
James  ii.  19.  They  must  be  made  to  tremble,  and  be  broken 
down  before  the  Lord  God  of  hosts,  or  they  can  never  be 
saved. 

"  You  certainly  impress  the  audience  with  a  want  of  re- 
spect for  their  understanding,  and  so  prejudice  them  against 
you  and  your  message."  It  may  be  so  ;  I  must  run  the  risk 
of  that.  If  they  understood  the  matter  properly,  they  should 
consider  that  I  honor  their  intelligence.  In  some  of  my  ser- 
mons, it  is  taken  for  granted,  that  they  believe  in  all  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Bible.     The  point  then  at  issue  is,  whether  it  is 


ARGOIENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES  OF   REVIVALS.      239 

not  high  time  they  should  test  their  principles,  by  a  conscious 
and  happy  experience.  In  other  words,  that  the  enjoyments 
of  the  heart  should  harmonize  with  the  ''  knowledge  in  the 
head."  Upon  this  I  labor  with  all  my  might.  My  plan,  then, 
is  to  lay  close  siege  to  the  heart  and  conscience,  and  storm 
them,  if  I  can.  If  this  cannot  be  done  in  one  night,  I  return 
to  the  charge  the  next.  And  so,  without  any  "  flourish  or 
prolusion,"  fall  to  blows,  and  that  so  rapidly  as  to  give  them 
no  time  to  recover  themselves.  When  they  "  cry  for  quar- 
ters," mercy  is  freely  and  generously  offered  through  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb. 

But  forget  not,  that  in  every  appeal  made  to  the  heart, 
there  is  a  dignified  recognition  of  principles  already  lodged 
in  the  understanding. 

I  consider  the  intelligence  of  that  congregation  insulted, 
when  a  preacher,  month  after  month,  and  year  after  year, 
engages  their  attention  in  proving  and  defining  points  of  be- 
lief, and  theological  terms.  I  doubt  whether  they  would 
bear  with  him  three  Sabbaths,  but  for  the  charity  that  hopes 
somebody  needs  enlightening  upon  such  subjects.  That  min- 
ister does  credit  to  the  intellects  of  his  audience,  who  drives 
home  to  the  conscience,  with  a  giant  arm,  truths  which  they 
profess  to  believe.  He  is  only  pushing  received  and  ac- 
knowledged principles  to  their  proper  result  in  the  conver- 
sion of  the  soul. 

You  go  on,  "  Why  not  a  Httle  system,  and  some  attention 
to  accent  and  cadence  ?  nor  should  you  be  above  a  nice 
definition  of  words.  You  are  capable  of  all  these,  but  you 
suffer  your  feelings  to  run  away  with  your  reason.  I  can  see 
no  good  in  all  this  furious  bluster  ;  and  as  for  such  outcries 
among  hitherto  sober  and  sensible  people  — I  am  amazed." 
And  thus  it  will  be  with  you,  till  you  understand  my  aim  in 
preaching, — rth^  conversion  of  sinners  to  God.      It  is  in 


240      ARGUMENTS   WITH  THE  ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS. 

hearing  this  kind  of  preaching,  as  one  looking  at  an  archer 
shooting  at  a  mark.  Unless  the  by-stander  notice  the  object 
aimed  at,  and  observe  the  arrow  the  moment  it  leaves  the 
string,  there  is  nothing  more  seen  of  it,  till  it  strike  the 
ground,  or  stick  fast  in  the  mark.  But  let  the  design  of  the 
marksman  be  observed,  and  the  flight-shaft  is  seen  the 
moment  it  is  dehvered  ;  the  eye  following  it  through  the  air, 
till  it  strike  the  point  to  which  it  was  directed.  All  confu- 
sion is  then  avoided,  and  the  effect  upon  the  mind  most 
agreeable. 

Consider  the  intention  of  the  minister ;  notice  the  mark ; 
appreciate  his  motives  ;  recognize  the  adaptation  of  the  truths 
delivered.  Sympathize  with  the  feelings  of  the  man  of  God ; 
follow  the  shaft  by  the  eye  of  faith,  to  the  invisible  heart  of 
the  sinner ;  nor  will  you  be  surprised  if  he  cry  aloud,  as  in 
an  agony  from  an  arrow  sticking  fast.  Having  traced  the 
cause  to  the  effect,  and  the  effect  back  to  the  cause,  the  sure 
results  of  gospel  truth  shall  gladden  your  heart.  The  bitter 
complaints  of  one  of  old,  mingling  in  the  outcries,  shall  then 
be  no  confusion  to  you.  "  For  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty 
are  within  me,  the  poison  whereof  drinketh  up  my  spirit ; 
the  terrors  of  God  do  set  themselves  in  array  against  me.'' 
Job  vi.  4. 

I  am  aware  you  have  not  received  that  answer  which  some 
of  your  remarks  have  richly  merited.  But,  if  you  have 
thrown  away  from  you  common  politeness  and  good  humor,  I 
choose  to  retain  both.  Beware,  lest  while  you  bear  the 
character  of  a  despiser,  you  wonder  and  perish.  Acts  xiii. 
41.  Remember  it  is  written,  "  His  arrows  are  made  ready 
upon  the  strings,"  Ps.  xxi.  12,  and  that  he  holds  the  arrow 
of  death,  as  well  as  those  suitable  for  conviction  of  sin. 
"  God  shall  shoot  at  them  with  an  arrow,"  says  the  Psalmist, 
"suddenly  shall  they  be  wounded  "  unto  death. 


ARGUMENTS   WJTH  THE   ENEMIES   OF   REVIVALS.      241 

"  Several  intelligent  persons  have  vacated  their  pews,  in 
consequence  of  your  fiery  style  of  preaching."  That  I  am 
aware  of ;  but  they  are  few  in  number.  Were  they  to  speak 
of  their  secret  hearts,  as  freely  as  they  do  of  me,  I  may 
venture  to  say,  they  would  confess  themselves  attached  to 
sins  sufficient  to  danm  them,  were  they  to  die  in  them. 
They  know  it,  and  are  disturbed.  This  is  no  discredit  to  me 
among  the  angels  of  God,  the  spectators  of  this  conflict,  who 
are  filling  heaven  with  acclamations  of  joy  over  repenting 
sinners. 

I  have  seen  many  such  cases ;  but  startling  facts  after- 
wards explained  the  matter,  and  have  cleared  the  preacher 
of  all  blame. 

"  Why  so  pointed  ?  why  so  severe  ?  You  will  succeed 
just  as  well  with  softer  words."  To  this  I  reply,  words  are 
the  instruments  by  which  the  Spirit  of  God  affects  the  mind. 
Sharp  they  must  be,  and  powerful ;  if  Uke  a  two-edged 
sword,  they  pierce  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  the  soul  and 
spirit,  the  joints  and  marrow ;  and  severely  searching,  too, 
if  their  discernment  penetrate  even  to  the  thoughts  and  the 
intents  of  the  heart.  Heb.  iv.  12.  An  old  divine,  quoting 
the  saying  of  a  physician,  "  Soft  words  cure  no  wounds," 
added,  "  we  may  more  truly  say.  Soft  words  give  no  wounds, 
and  are  not  fit  for  the  service." 

Two  of  your  concluding  sentiments  are  worth  a  line  or 
two.  "  I  never  come,  but  there  is  a  storm  of  hell  and  dam- 
nation." But  you  do  not  attend  every  night ;  frequently, 
there  is  nothing  of  the  kind.  Such  powerless  seasons, 
however,  cause  me  great  sorrow  of  heart ;  I  would  weep 
my  life  away  on  this  account,  were  it  not  for  the  con- 
sideration, that  quiet  sermons  may  be  necessary  for  certain 
minds,  of  mild  temperament  and  kindly  disposition.  The 
jailor  was  surprised  by  terror,  and  sprang  into  the  cell  of 
21 


242      ARGUMENTS    WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS. 

Paul  and  Silas,  trembling,  and  fell  down,  saying,  "  Sirs, 
what  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  But  it  is  recorded  in  the 
same  chapter,  that,  "  The  Lord  opened  the  heart  of  Lydia," 
when  hearing  the  truth  of  God  by  the  river  of  Philippi. 
"  He  opened  Lydia's  heart  with  an  oiled  key,"  said  a  good 
man,  "  but  an  earthquake  was  necessary  to  open  the  heart 
of  the  jailor." 

Who  dare  say,  that  these  two  styles  are  not  necessary  for 
respective  characters  ;  or  even  that  the  same  kind  of  preach- 
ing is  always  suitable  to  the  same  individual  ?  If  you  are 
sent  on  the  earthquake  nights,  to  breathe  amidst  a  "storm  of 
hell  and  damnation,"  are  you  quite  sure  you  do  not  need  such 
arousing  elements  ? 

"  You  have  a  good  deal  of  brass  in  your  face,  if,  after  the 
repeated  hints  you  have  received  from  certain  quarters,  you 
do  not  disappear  from  the  town."  I  have  a  good  deal  of  love 
in  my  heart,  or  I  could  not  breast  my  difficulties  ;  and  one 
of  the  old  "Scotch  worthies,"  (the  persecuted  Rutherford,) 
used  to  say,  "  Faith  is  the  better  for  free  air,  and  for  the 
sharp  winter  storm  in  its  face  ?  " 

Not  at  all.  I  meant  no  such  thing.  The  judgment  should 
be  addressed  as  well  as  the  passions.  What  I  intendq^d,  and 
thought  plainly  stated,  was,  a  minister  of  Christ  should  ad- 
dress the  whole  man.  Appeals  to  the  passions  should  not  be 
made,  to  the  neglect  of  the  understanding,  nor  should  the 
intellect  be  engaged  while  the  passions  are  disregarded. 
Doubtless,  those  preachers  are  most  successful  who  aim  at 
both.  Whether  I  fail  in  either,  others  must  judge.  Come  and 
hear  for  yourself  regularly,  and  without  prejudice.  Mark 
those  parts  of  the  sermon  which  speak  to  the  judgment,  and 
those  designed  for  the  passions,  and  you  may  possibly  find 
as  much  intended  for  the  former  as  for  the  latter.  But  ex- 
pect not  equal  proportions  in  all  the  sermons,  nor  run  away 


ARGUMENTS   WITH  THE  ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS.      243 

disgusted  after  a  moving  discourse.  Come  back  the  next 
night,  and  the  following ;  perhaps  you  may  observe  both 
matter  and  manner  in  the  opposite  extreme.  If  so,  look  out 
for  another  "storm,"  for  these  are  only  preparatory. 

Let  us  not  disagree  where  we  are  really  agreed.  That 
"  the  judgment  should  be  informed  before  the  passions  are 
moved,"  I  allow.  This  is  a  good  general  rule,  but  the  min- 
ister who  is  laboring  for  souls,  is  often  the  best  judge.  If 
he  have  the  work  at  heart,  he  will  converse  with  hun- 
dreds of  his  hearers,  in  a  week  or  two,  and  be  able  to  form  a 
pretty  correct  estimate  of  their  intelligence,  and  suit  his 
preaching  accordingly.  Hence,  a  hearer,  especially  one 
who  is  only  present  once  or  twice  a  week,  is  far  from  being 
qualified  to  say,  how  such  a  man  should  preach  to  the  crowds 
who  surround  him.  In  very  many  cases,  the  feehngs  must 
be  moved  before  we  can  have  access  to  the  judgment.  I 
cannot  enter  into  a  labored  argument  upon  this  point,  for  the 
want  of  time,  I  have  visited  many  towns  in  the  course  of 
my  travels,  where  a  revival  has  broken  out  suddenly.  Vast 
numbers  have  crowded  into  the  house  of  God,  out  of  mere 
curiosity.  Some  of  them,  "  Wild  as  the  untaught  Indian's 
brood."  Before  such  minds  could  be  enlightened,  I  had  to 
gain  their  attention ;  but  this  w^as  impossible,  without  an  at- 
tempt to  "  rouse  their  passions,"  as  you  term  it,  by  these 
objectionable  appeals.  The  fear  of  that  great  and  dreadful 
God  whom  they  had  offended,  and  the  conscious  danger  of 
dropping  into  hell,  have  so  "  wrought  upon  their  feelings," 
as  to  impel  them  to  attend  to  the  things  Avhich  were  spoken. 
Dark  minds,  forced  by  an  aroused  conscience  to  listen  to  the 
truth,  became  enlightened,  and  soon  yielded  themselves  to 
God,  through  Jesus  Christ. 

I  recollect  an  instance  of  this  kind,  which  took  place  at  a 
camp  meeting  in  the  state  of  New  York.      A  very  wicked 


244      ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS. 

physician,  driven  on  by  the  devil,  come  upon  the  ground. 
Day  after  day,  regardless  of  the  sanctity  of  the  place  and 
services,  he  despised  the  sons  of  God,  and  ridiculed  the 
whole  as  a  religious  farce.  His  mind  was  as  dark  as  that  of 
an  Indian  of  our  forests,  on  the  whole  subject  of  religion. 
I  was  present  the  night  he  was  struck  to  the  ground,  as  by 
a  flash  of  lightning.  The  point  to  be  gained  was  to  arrest 
his  attention  during  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  make  an 
impression.  A  plain  young  man  one  night  chose  a  text, 
Rom.  vii.  11,  12;  and  instead  of  laboring  to  convince  the 
judgment,  he  thrust  directly  at  the  conscience.  Every  sen- 
tence had  a  dagger  point.  His  appeals  to  the  conscience 
were  absolutely  terrific.  The  woods  re-echoed ;  the  audience 
stood  aghast,  and  Christians  trembled  before  the  Lord  God 
of  hosts.  The  man's  attention  was  rivetted,  the  smile  of 
contempt  disappeared,  and  he  fell  to  the  ground  as  if  a  bul- 
let had  passed  through  his  body.  Morning  had  not  dawned 
upon  that  grove,  before  the  results  astonished  all  who  were 
acquainted  with  the  case. 

Several  years  ago,  a  few  religious  people  and  others  were 
worshipping  God.  An  old  man  arose,  not  so  much  to  tell 
people  what  they  did  not  know,  as  to  make  them  feel  all 
they  knew.  A  hardened  young  sinner  was  there,  while  the 
exhorter,  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  cried,  "  Sin  and  repent,  sin 
and  repent,  till  you  repent  in  the  bottomless  pit."  He 
afterwards  said,  that  the  word  entered  his  "heart  like  a  dag- 
ger." His  "passions  were  excited,"  but  an  arrest  was  laid 
upon  his  attention.  During  five  weeks  God  poured  light  upon 
his  mind,  by  the  instructions  of  his  servants,  which  he  was 
glad  to  receive,  while  suffering  the  agonies  of  a  wounded 
spirit.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  he  received  remission  of 
sins,  by  faith  ;  enjoyed  it  several  years,  and  then  died  happy 
in  God. 


ARGUMENTS    WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS.       245 

"  Tlie  zeal  of  some  men  is  of  a  haughty,  unbending, 
ferocious  character,"  you  say.  "  They  have  the  letter  of 
truth,  but  they  mount  the  pulpit  like  prize-fighters.  It  is 
with  them  a  perpetual  scold.  It  is  not  the  spirit  of 
Jesus  Christ.  He  seems  to  have  labored  to  win  men."  I 
never  scold;  it  is  against  my  principles.  But  when  the 
love  of  Christ  constrains,  I  persuade  men  with  poAver  and 
divine  authority.  Call  this  "  ferocious,"  if  you  please. 
But  I  happen  to  know  where  you  got  the  above  criticism. 
Why  did  you  not  add  the  passage  immediately  in  connection  ? 
I  shall  do  it  for  you.  "  But  there  is  an  opposite  extreme. 
The  love  of  some  men  is  all  milk  and  mildness.  There  is  so 
much  dehcacy,  and  so  much  fastidiousness.  They  touch 
with  such  tenderness,  and,  if  the  patient  shrinks,  they  wiU 
touch  no  more.  The  times  are  too  flagrant  for  such  a  dispo- 
sition. The  gospel  is  sometimes  preached  in  this  way,  till  all 
the  people  agree  with  the  preacher.  He  gives  no  oifence, 
and  he  does  no  good."  This  is  what  another  calls,  "  A 
general,  soft,  and  toothless  ministry;"  and  adds,  "  I  con- 
fess I  look  upon  nothing  more  dangerous  and  deadly." 

May  the  Holy  Spirit  teach  me  wherein  I  err ! 

This  very  morning  I  fell  hi  with  the  following  lines,  which 
I  consider  the  best  answer  I  can  give.  It  would  seem  as  if 
they  had  been  written  expressly  for  yourself :  — 

"  Parrots  themselves  speak  properly  by  rote, 
And  in  six  months,  my  clog  shall  howl  by  note  ; 
I  laugh  at  those,  who,  when  the  stage  they  tread, 
Neglect  the  heart,  to  compliment  the  head  ; 
With  strict  propriety,  their  cares  confined 
To  weigh  out  words,  while  passion  halts  behind : 
To  syllable  dissectors  they  appeal, 
Allow  the  accent,  cadence — fools  may  feel; 
But  spite  of  all  the  criticising  elves, 
Those,  who  would  make  us/ce/,  rrnist  feel  themselves.^* 

You  have  stated  many  good  things,  but  I  have  neither  time 
21* 


246      ARGUMENTS    WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS. 

nor  inclination,  to  take  them  up,  one  by  one,  or  continue  the 
correspondence.  Compare  your  philosophy  with  what  follows. 
Each  sentiment  might  be  a  proposition.  Carry  them  out, 
and  they  would  tear  your  arguments  to  ribbons.  "  Truth 
and  sympathy  are  the  soul  of  an  efficacious  ministry.  We 
may  say,  '  this  or  that  is  the  aspect  w^iich  ought  to  have 
most  effect :  we  must  illuminate  the  mind;  we  must  enlist 
the  reason ;  we  must  attack  the  conscience.'  "  "  We  may 
do  all  this,  and  yet  our  want  of  success  in  begetting  and 
educating  the  sons  of  glory,  may  demonstrate  to  us,  that 
there  is  some  more  effective  way.  Man  is  a  creature  of  feel- 
ing as  well  as  intellect.  We  must  interest  them  as  we  can. 
It  is  unphilosophical  to  depend  on  the  mere  statement  of 
truth.  The  armor  of  Saul  is  armor  for  the  camp  of  the 
Israelites,  or  in  the  camp  of  the  Philistines,  but  we  want  the 
sling  and  the  stone.  I  honor  metaphysicians,  logicians, 
critics,  and  historians,  in  their  places.  Look  at  facts.  Men 
who  lay  out  all  their  strength  in  statements,  preach  churches 
empty.  They  fail  in  their  effects  on  their  hearers,  by  not 
entering  as  philosophers  into  the  state  of  human  nature. 
They  do  not  consider  how  low  the  patient  is  reduced.  They 
set  themselves  to  plant  principles  and  prove  points,  when 
they  should  labor  to  interest  the  heart.  Few  men  have  wis- 
dom so  large  as  to  see,  that  the  w^ay  they  have  not  hitherto 
attained,  may  yet  be  the  best  way.  I  dare  not  tell  most 
academical,  logical,  frigid  men,  how  little  I  account  of  their 
opinion,  concerning  the  true  method  of  preaching  to  the  pop- 
ular ear.  I  hear  them  talk  as  utterly  incompetent  judges." 
On  the  other  matters,  I  have  to  thank  you  for  your  candor. 
But  have  you  never  read  the  little  story  of  the  "  irregular" 
apple  tree  ? .  A  gentleman  one  day,  when  passing  by  an 
orchard,  the  trees  of  which  were  standing  in  regular  rows, 
noticed  one  quite  "  out  of  order."     He  hailed  the  owner, 


ARGUMENTS   WITH  THE  ENEMIES   OP  REVIVALS.      247 

saying,  "What  a  pity,  Sir,  that  you  should  let  that  tree 
stand  there ;  were  it  mine,  I  would  root  it  up,  and  thereby 
reduce  my  orchard  to  an  exact  uniformity."  "  I  regard  the 
fruit  rather  than  the  form,"  was  the  reply.  "  It  more  than 
compensates  for  the  inconvenience  arising  from  its  situation. 
This  tree  which  you  would  root  up,  hath  yielded  me  more 
than  many  of  those  trees,  which  have  little  else  to  commend 
them,  than  their  regular  position," 

Are  you  quite  sure,  that  Jesus  Christ  would  not  give  you  a 
similar  reply,  were  you  bold  enough  to  carry  the  "  objection" 
to  him  ? 

Here  this  controversy  must  close.  I  have  other,  and 
better  work  on  ray  hands.  Hundreds  of  sinners  are  turning 
to  the  Lord.  Were  it  not  for  difficulties  over  which  I  have 
no  control,  both  circuits  would  be  wrapt  in  the  flames  of  sal- 
vation, and  many  more  sinners  converted  at  this  time.  The 
devil  fought  with  me  in  Dublin,  as  the  starting  point  of  my 
labors  in  Ireland ;  but  my  trials  were  nearly  all  mental. 
Liverpool  is  "  the  pass  "  into  England.  To  me  it  is  a  Ther- 
mopylae ;  but  Satan  has  changed  his  mode  of  attack.  His 
entrenchments,  artillery,  and  agents  are  of  a  different  kind. 
My  eye  is  single.  There  is  prudence  connected  with  that, 
far  beyond  any  thing  worldly,  and  much  more  effectual.  The 
singleness  of  the  mental  eye  is  a  noble  safeguard  against  the 
warpings  of  those  selfish  interests,  wliich  ruin  a  man's  use- 
fulness, and  blight  the  work  of  God.  My  one  object  is  the 
salvation  of  lost  sinners.  This  saves  me  from  many  snares 
and  hurtful  temptations.  When  souls  are  given  me,  I  am 
happy :  "  Then,  let  or  earth  or  hell  assail." 

In  bidding  you  adieu,  I  indulge  the  charity  which  "  hopeth 
aU  things."  Although  you  have  used  some  hard  words,  not 
at  all  in  keeping  with  the  politeness  current  in  the  well- 
bred  world,  to  say  nothing  of  the  apostolic  injunction,  "  Be 


248      ARGUMENTS    WITH   THE   ENEMIES    OF   REVIVALS. 

courteous  ;'*  yet  I  would  hope,  you  have  not  "  set  aught  down 
in  maUce."  Rather,  that  the  sentiments  of  a  good  man  now 
in  glory,  are  more  justly  applicable.  "If  a  man  look  at 
most  of  his  prejudices,  he  will  find  that  they  arise  from  his 
field  of  view  being  necessarily  narrow,  like  the  eye  of  a  fly. 
He  can  have  but  little  better  notions  of  the  whole  scheme 
of  things,  as  has  been  well  said,  than  a  fly  on  the  pavement 
of  St.  Paul's  cathedral  can  have  of  the  whole  structure. 
He  is  offended,  therefore,  by  inequalities,  which  are  lost  in 
the  grand  design."  Think  of  the  following  sentence,  it  may 
assist  you  to  more  prudence,  and  render  you  less  positive. 
"  This  persuasion  will  fortify  him  against  many  injurious  and 
troublesome  prejudices."  My  charity,  however,  need  not 
hinder  you  from 

"  Turning  the  leaves  of  sacred  conscience  o'er, 
Nor  be  afraid  to  search  her  hidden  store." 
****** 

I  understand  perfectly  the  nature  of  these  petty  annoy- 
ances. Never  have  I  yet  been  in  any  great  revival,  without 
having  had  numbers  of  these  squibs  of  the  devil,  and  other 
fire-works  let  off"  about  my  ears.  Seldom  have  they  ceased 
making  a  noise,  and  spitting  fire,  till  the  poor  creatures 
employed  by  the  author  of  evil,  (as  the  monkey  employed 
the  paws  of  the  cat,  in  dragging  the  eatables  out  of  the  fire,) 
get  converted  to  God ;  or  till  the  revival  either  stop  or 
become  extremely  popular.  Sometimes  I  have  felt  it  my 
duty  to  silence  Satan's  batteries,  by  the  superior  artillery 
of  the  gospel.  But  where  the  effect  has  been  no  other,  than 
to  keep  my  oflBcers  awake,  and  to  stir  them  up  to  deeds  of 
noble  daring,  I  have  let  them  fire  away.  My  reply  in  such 
cases  has  been,  "  I  am  doing  a  great  work,  so  that  I  cannot 
come  down ;  why  should  the  work  cease  whilst  I  leave  it, 
and  come  down  to  you  ?"     Neh.  vi.  3. 


ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS.      249 

Having  a  few  moments  on  my  hands,  it  is  not  improper, 
all  things  considered,  to  send  you  a  short  answer. 

You  seem  to  be  a  sensible  man,  and  I  am  surprised  that 
you  meddle  with  what  it  is  evident  you  are  totally  ignorant 
of.  Were  I  to  enter  your  shop,  and  interfere  with  your 
men,  and  attempt  to  give  orders  about  a  trade,  of  which  I 
know  just  nothing,  what  would  you  think  or  say  of  me  ? 
What  but  "  he  is  a  foolish,  impudent,  meddling,  self-conceited 
coxcomb  ?" 

Once,  during  a  glorious  revival,  an  unconverted  lawyer, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  congregation,  set  hunself  to  oppose 
me  and  the  Leaders.  A  judicious  friend  brought  him  to  his 
senses.  "  Suppose,  Sir,"  he  said,  "  an  individual,  who  had 
never  studied  law,  should  come  into  your  office,  and  begin  to 
find  fault  with  your  legal  proceedings  ;  and  insist  that,  here- 
after, you  should  govern  yourself  by  his  directions,  how 
would  you  treat  his  impudence  ?  And  how  does  it  look.  Sir, 
for  you  to  be  dictating  to  an  experienced  minister  of  God, 
and  converted  and  intelUgent  Leaders,  as  to  how  they  shall 
conduct  this  revival  ?" 

This  prompt  defence  of  my  friend,  reminded  me  of  a 
classical  story.  When  Antony  carped  at  the  study  of  the 
civil  law,  acknowledging,  at  the  same  time,  the  small  knowl- 
edge he  himself  had  therein ;  Scsevola,  a  great  lawyer,  smil- 
ing said,  that  "  he  had  made  a  kind  of  amends  for  his 
invective  against  the  law,  by  professing  his  ignorance  there- 
in." A  good  man  once  replied  to  a  sceptic:  "It  is  no 
disparagement  to  any  science  or  profession,  to  be  sHghted  by 
such  as  understand  it  not." 

A  few  months  ago,  when  in  the  south  of  Ireland,  a  zealous 
old  Christian  came  into  my  room,  saying,  "  Sir,  I  was 
exhorting  sinners  to  turn  to  Christ,  and  beUevers  to  cry  to 
God  for  an  influence  from  above.    My  soul  was  very  happy, 


250      ARGUMENTS   WITH   THE   ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS. 

and  I  called  upon  God  to  send  down  fire  from  heaven.  A 
poor  man  cried  out  with  great  emotion,  '  God  forbid !'  " 
They  understood  each  other  differently.  The  old  saint  wanted 
the  fire  of  divine  love  to  descend  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
people ;  the  sinner  thought  he  was  calling  for  the  fire  of 
vengeance,  and  ventured  to  put  a  negative  upon  such  a 
request ;  —  entering  his  protest  against  such  a  shower,  with 
a  "God  forbid!" 

It  is  the  same  misunderstanding  of  spiritual  things,  which 
leads  you  to  exclaim,  "Blasphemy,"  in  a  lively  meeting. 
You  seem  as  ignorant  of  the  phraseology  necessary  to  a 
revival,  as  an  Indian  would  be  of  the  shouts  for  brick,  and 
stone,  and  mortar,  from  the  walls  of  a  building  in  the  course 
of  erection.  Nor  will  it  ever  be  otherwise  with  you,  till  the 
publican's  cry,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner  I"  be  wrung 
from  your  agonized  soul ;  or  till  the  first  five  verses  of  the 
one  hundred  and  third  psalm,  become  the  language  of  your 
newly  converted  heart.  In  hell  you  may  possibly  under- 
stand the  matter.  Theology  is  studied  there,  were  it  for 
no  other  purpose,  than  to  burn  into  the  lost  soul,  lessons  on 
the  justice  of  its  punishment.  I  care  not  a  straw  for  your 
threatening.  Neither  you,  nor  any  sinner  in  Liverpool,  can 
do  me  any  injury,  unless  it  be  given  you  from  above.  The 
will  of  God  be  done.  When  my  work  is  finished  in  England, 
I  shall  cheerfully  return  to  America.  He  can  open,  and 
no  man  can  shut,  and  he  can  shut,  and  no  man  can  open. 
I  think  it  is  Luther,  who  tells  us.  of  a  certain  Duke  of  Sax- 
ony, who  determined  upon  war  against  a  bishop  of  Germany. 
The  prelate,  instead  of  raising  a  mihtary  force  to  defend  his 
town  and  territory,  gave  himself  to  prayer,  and  to  the  care 
of  the  church  of  God.  The  duke  sent  a  spy  into  the  com- 
pany of  the  bishop,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  his  plan  of 
attack,  or  defence.     The  spy  returned,  and  the  duke,  with 


AKGUMENT3   WITH  THE   ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS.      251 

much  eagerness,  put  forth  his  inquiries.  "  0  !  Sir,  was  the 
reply,  "  you  may  surprise  him  without  fear  ;  he  is  doing 
nothing,  and  making  no  preparation."  "  How  is  that  ?" 
inquired  the  duke,  "  what  does  he  say  V*  "  He  says  he 
will  feed  his  flock,  preach  the  word,  visit  the  sick,  and  that 
as  for  this  war,  he  should  commit  the  weight  of  it  to  God 
himself."  "  Is  it  so  ?"  said  the  duke,  '^  then  let  the  devil 
wage  war  against  him,  I  will  not ;"  and  added,  if  I  remem- 
ber aright,  "  It  is  a  hazardous  afiair  to  attack  him,  who  has 
engaged  God  in  his  quarrel." 

There  is  a  lesson  here  for  me  and  thee,  and  for  all  parties 
concerned.  I  have  nothing  to  do  but  mind  God's  work,  nor 
shall  I  do  any  thing  else  ;  and  that  with  simplicity  and 
singleness  of  heart.  While  God  surrounds  me  with  a  crowd 
of  young  converts,  and  penitents,  and  unawakened  but  atten- 
tive sinners,  my  duty  is  plain.  Some  are  to  be  built  up  on 
their  most  holy  faith,  others  are  to  be  converted,  and  vast 
masses  broken  down  into  sorrow  for  sin.  Here  is  my  work, 
and  I  shall  do  it  with  all  my  might,  by  the  grace  of  God. 
When  these  things  are  accomplished,  I  shall  disappear  from 
Liverpool,  and  they  may  see  my  face  no  more.  The  weight 
of  what  you  speak,  I  shall  commit  to  God  himself. 

In  the  dark  days  of  Protestantism,  in  this  country,  a 
trooper  rushed  into  a  church,  and  ordered  a  faithful  minister 
to  stop  preaching.  The  man  of  God  went  on  with  a  steady 
voice,  and  firm  countenance.  The  soldier  raised  a  pistol  to 
his  head,  and  threatened  him  with  instant  death,  if  he  did 
not  desist.  "  Soldier,"  said  the  undaunted  minister  calmly, 
"  I  am  doing  my  duty,  you  may  do  youi^ ;"  and,  with  a  still 
more  exalted  voice,  proceeded  with  his  sermon. 

God  is  mine,  and  I  am  his.  This  is  settled ;  and,  0 ! 
what  a  paradise  is  this !  j\Iy  feelings  are  not  unlike  those 
of  a  Christian  lady  in  America,  who  said  to  me,  "  Brother, 


252      ARGUMENTS  WITH  THE   ENEMIES   OF  REVIVALS. 

I  feel  like  one  sitting  upon  the  summit  of  a  high  rock, 
who  can  scarcely  hear  the  breakers  at  its  base."  The  man 
who  stands  on  the  top  of  a  lofty  tower,  2  Sam.  xxii.  2,  3, 
is  regardless  of  the  croaking  of  frogs  and  hissing  of  serpents 
below.  What  cares  the  full  moon  for  the  barking  of  dogs  ? 
She  is  fixed  in  the  heavens,  and  moves  on,  surrounded  by 
her  attendant  stars. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

INQUIRIES,  ANECDOTES,  AND  CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

The  following  chapter  is  full  of  interest.  It  abounds  in 
fine,  pointed  anecdotes.  It  exhibits  the  opinions  formed  of 
Mr.  Caughej  by  lukewarm  professors  and  worldly  men.  It 
furnishes  an  example  to  those  ministers  whose  aims,  efforts, 
and  principles,  being  above  the  comprehension  of  a  carnal 
world,  call  forth  its  anger.  Mr.  Caughey  stood  firm  as  a 
"  Druid  rock  "  amidst  the  beating  waves  of  hostile  opinions. 
He  vanquished  his  foes  by  a  meek  perseverance  in  the  work 
of  God ;  by  being  Jiimself  unmoved,  while  his  foes  were 
excited  against  him. 

His  replies  to  those  who  questioned  him  concerning  the 
secret  philosophy  of  his  revivals,  are  worthy  of  careful 
study  ;  since  his  successful,  simple  philosophy,  is  within  reach 
of  every  other  minister.  It  is  so  compendious  as  to  be 
easily  comprehended  and  as  easily  remembered.  That  it  is 
the  true  philosophy,  w^U  appear  from  its  practical  workings. 
In  five  months  at  Liverpool,  it  produced  the  glorious  fruit  of 
a  THOUSAND  CONVERTS.  0,  that  every  reader,  and  especially 
every  minister,  may  learn  well  and  truly  that  philosophy  so 
aptly  comprehended  by  Mr.  Caughey  in  the  single  phrase, 

KNEE    WORK  ! 

Yes  !  in  such  cases  it  may  do  very  well.      We  may  man- 
age those  infirmities,  as  did  the  painter,  when  taking  the 
22  253 


264  CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

portrait  of  his  friend.  A  blemish  happened  to  be  in  one  of 
his  eyes,  but  he  concealed  the  defect  by  painting  the  other 
side  of  the  face.  This  was  a  delicate  stroke,  and  not  repre- 
hensible. The  presence  of  the  deformity  was  not  absolutely 
necessary  to  a  correct  likeness,  in  a  certain  position.  And 
thus  it  may  be  sometimes  in  preaching.  Innocent  and  una- 
voidable imperfections  are  not  needful  to  be  described.  We 
can  do  more  good  by  throwing  over  them  the  mantle  of  con- 
cealment. No  principle  is  sacrificed,  by  taking  the  most  per- 
fect side  of  the  character  for  our  contemplation.  But  "  cir- 
cumstances alter  cases."  Suppose  the  "  frailties"  are  sinful, 
and  known  to  the  public,  a  minister  is  not  at  liberty  to  con- 
ceal or  excuse.  Principle,  the  good  of  others,  and  the  concerns 
of  a  deathless  soul,  are  concerned.  "  But  would  you  announce 
his  name  ?  "  By  no  means ;  there  is  no  occasion  for  that ; 
nor  have  I  in  your  case.  I  would  draw  the  portrait  with  those 
sinful  blemishes  in  it,  and  it  should  be  to  the  life  too  ;  so  that 
if  the  individual  be  known  to  the  congregation,  every  one 
may  discern  the  likeness,  and  avoid  the  example.  If  the 
failings  are  secret,  then  the  sinner  himself  may  behold  his 
deformed  features,  and  repent,  as  in  dust  and  ashes.  A 
certain  minister  was  in  the  act  of  sketching  such  a  character 
once.  A  poor  fellow  in  the  audience  looked  unutterable 
things,  gazing  all  the  time  with  intense  interest.  A  few 
more  touches  by  the  faithful  preacher,  and  the  likeness  was 
complete.  He  could  restrain  himself  no  longer,  and  cried 
out,  "  Name  me  !  "  with  a  look  as  if  he  would  sink  through 
the  floor.  Did  you  feel  any  thing  like  this  on  the  night  in 
question  ?  0  man !  secure  such  a  character  upon  you,  by 
the  grace  of  God,  that  you  shall  not  be  ashamed  of  your 
picture  any  where. 

You  say,  "  It  is  disgusting  and  horrible  for  any  minister 
to  descend  to  such  personalities.      It  is  mean ;  you  know 


CLOSING  LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  255 

well  enough  that  what  you  said  could  apply  to  none  but  my- 
self." I  knew  nothing  of  the  kind,  nor  any  thing  about 
you.  I  did  indeed  "  paint  "  a  face  and  form,  with  a  peculiar 
drapery,  and  so  like  yourself^  it  would  seem,  that  you  knew 
your  visage  and  garb  ;  and  now  you  must  wear  them  till  you 
provide  yourself  with  something  better.  I  am  as  innocent 
in  the  whole  affair,  most  surely,  as  was  an  old  Local  Preacher 
of  my  acquaintance  in  America,  similarly  circumstanced. 
He  was  a  man  full  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and 
much  people  were  added  to  the  Lord  by  his  instrumentality. 
Preaching  once  in  a  private  house,  which  was  full,  a  certain 
character  came  up  suddenly  before  his  mind.  This  he 
sketched  admirably,  in  "  full  length."  A  man  at  the  door 
became  greatly  agitated,  and  forgetting  the  peculiarity  of 
his  situation,  called  out  to  the  preacher,  "  Why  don't  you 
talk  to  some  of  the  rest,  and  not  to  me  all  the  time  ?  "  "I 
did  not  know  you  were  there,"  replied  the  good  man,  "  but 
if  the  coat  suit  you,  put  it  on  and  wear  it,  and  be  thankful, 
and  I  shall  try  to  fit  some  of  the  rest."  Ah !  Sir,  if  there 
was  more  of  such  preaching,  men  could  not  frequent  our 
congregations,  nor  applaud  the  minister,  and  live  at  the 
same  time  in  gross  vice.  No,  no  !  They  would  either 
absent  themselves  from  the  hearing  of  the  searching  truth, 
or  get  converted  to  God.  The  above  fact  is  so  appHcable  to 
yourself,  there  is  no  need  for  comments. 

"  There  were  other  offensive  remarks,  which  I  know  apphed 
to  others,  even  Wesley ans ;  but  such  vulgar  descriptions 
should  never  be  brought  into  the  pulpit."  I  cannot  agree 
with  you  there.  If  people  are  "  vulgar  "  enough  to  commit 
such  things,  the  minister  of  God,  rather  than  have  the  blood 
of  souls  found  in  his  skirts,  must  reprove  boldly,  even  at  the 
risk  of  being  charged  with  vulgarity.  "  Reproofs  of  this 
kind  should  always  be  given  in  private."     You  amuse  me. 


256         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

Take  the  following  incident  as  mj  reply :  An  eminent  man, 
since  gone  into  eternity,  once  publicly  reproved  a  certain 
class  of  men  with  whom  he  was  associated.  Stung  by  his 
pointed  remarks,  they  complained  of  his  imprudence  and 
severity,  adding,  "  You  should  have  done  this  privately,  and 
in  Latin."  He  replied,  "  When  you  transgress  privately 
and  in  Latin,  I  will  rebuke  you  privately  and  in  Latin  ;  but 
when  publicly  and  in  Enghsh,  I  shall  rebuke  you  publicly 
and  in  English."  While  upon  this  part  of  your  letter,  I 
must  remind  you  of  the  saying  of  a  zealous  minister  of 
Christ,  some  years  ago,  which  it  is  not  unlikely  3'Ou  have 
read.  He  pireached  one  day,  very  pointedly,  against  those 
sins  which  prevail  among  the  wealthy.  A  nobleman  being 
present,  left  the  house  of  God  much  out  of  humor,  and  sent 
his  servant  to  the  minister,  with  this  message  :  "  Sir,  you 
have  offended  my  lord  to-day."  The  noble  reply  was,  "  I 
should  not  have  offended  your  lord,  except  he  had  been  con- 
scious to  himself  he  had  first  offended  my  Lord  ;  and  if  your 
lord  will  offend  my  Lord,  let  him  be  offended."  Do  you  not 
think  the  following  to  be  applicable  to  your  case  ?  A  cer- 
tain knight,  in  the  days  of  Cromwell,  entered  a  charge  against 
a  faithful  preacher,  to  this  effect,  that  he  was  "  preached  at 
in  church."  What  was  Cromwell's  advice  ?  "  Go  home, 
Sir  John,  and  hereafter  live  in  good  friendship  with  your 
minister.  The  word  of  the  Lord  is  a  searching  word,  and  I 
am  afraid  it  has  found  you  out." 

You  are  certainly  mistaken.  NiVunni  V autre,  "Neith- 
er the  one  nor  the  other."  No  human  being  has  told  me  a 
single  word  about  you.  I  have  no  doubt  it  was  the  Spirit  of 
God,  which  led  my  mind  to  those  points,  which  turn  out  to 
be  facts.  Beware  how  you  blame  any  one.  God  is  in  it; 
your  sins  have  found  you  out.  It  is  a  mere  trick  of  the 
devil,  to  charge  *  *  *  with  it,  or  anyone  else.     Satan  knows 


CLOSING  LABORS   IN  LIVERPOOL.  257 

there  is  no  readier  way  to  irritate  your  mind,  and  destroy  the 
impression,  than  to  impute  the  affair  to  some  "  tattling  busy- 
body," instead  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  knows  all  about  you. 
I  would  not  take  pains  to  send  you  the  following,  in  the  min- 
ister's own  words,  but  for  a  desire  to  counterwork  the  de- 
signs of  the  enemy  of  your  soul :  — 

"  I  was  once  applied  to  by  a  stranger,  in  a  place  where  I 
was  laboring  for  a  few  Sabbaths  only,  for  a  sight  of  a  letter 
which  I  had  received  calumniating  his  character.  I  looked  at 
the  man  and  pitied  him,  and  coolly  replied,  '  It  would  be  a 
breach  of  the  common  principles  of  society,  to  show  confi- 
dential letters  written  to  us  for  the  purpose  of  our  doing  peo- 
ple good.'  He  retorted  in  an  angry  tone,  ^  I  demand  a  sight 
of  it.  Sir,  as  an  act  of  justice  due  to  an  injured  man.'  I  re- 
plied, '  How  did  you  know  that  I  have  received  a  letter  con- 
cerning you  ?  '  '  Know  ! '  said  he,  4t  was  impossible  not  to 
know  it ;  your  language  and  manner  were  so  pointed,  that  it 
was  impossible  I  should  be  deceived.'  I  rejoined,  '  Do  not 
be  too  positive  ;  you  have  been  deceived  before  now,  I  sup- 
pose ;  you  may  be  so  again.'  'It  is  not  possible,'  said  he  ; 
*  you  described  the  sin  of  which  I  am  accused  in  the  clearest 
language  ; '  and,  looking  me  in  the  face,  and  pointing  to- 
wards me,  you  said,  '  Siimer,  be  sure  your  sins  will  find  you 
out ;  I  therefore  expect  from  you.  Sir,  as  a  gentleman  and  a 
Christian  minister,  that  you  will  give  me  a  sight  of  the  let- 
ter, that  I  may  know  its  contents  and  repel  its  charges.'  I 
observed,  '  I  do  not  know  your  name ;  to  my  knowledge  I 
never  saw  you  before  ;  and  as  you  have  not  told  me  in  what 
part  of  the  sermon  it  was  I  was  so  pointed,  if  I  show  you 
any  letter  I  may  show  you  the  wrong  one  ;  I  shall  therefore 
certainly  not  exhibit  any  of  my  letters  to  you,  nor  satisfy  you 
whether  I  have  received  any  one  about  you,  till  you  describe 
the  case  alluded  to.'  He  hesitated,  but  afterwards  described 
22* 


258  CLOSING   LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL. 

the  sin  of  which  he  Tvas  accused.  When  he  had  finished, 
looking  him  full  in  his  eyes,  assuming  a  solemn  attitude,  and 
using  a  grave  and  serious  tone  of  voice,  I  said,  '  Can  you 
look  me  full  in  the  face,  as  you  must  your  Judge  at  the  great 
day  of  God,  and  declare  that  you  are  innocent  of  the  sin 
laid  to  your  charge  ?  '  He  trembled,  turned  pale,  and  his 
voice  faltered ;  guilt  and  anger  struggling  in  his  breast,  like 
the  fire  in  the  bowels  of  Mount  ^tna,  and  summoning  up 
his  remaining  courage,  —  'I  am  not  bound  to  make  any  man 
my  confessor ;  and  if  I  were  guilty,  no  man  has  a  right  to 
held  me  up  to  public  observation,  as  you  have  done.'  I  as- 
sumed a  benignity  of  countenance,  and  softened  my  tones, 
saying,  '  Do  you  beheve  the  passage  I  cited  —  be  sure  your 
sins  will  find  you  out — is  the  word  of  God  ? '  He  answered, 
*It  may  be.'  '  Surely  it  is,'  said  I;  'he  that  made  the  ear, 
shall  he  not  hear ;  he  that  made  the  eye,  shall  he  not  see ; 
can  he  have  any  difficulty  in  bringing  your  sin  to  light  ? 
Now  I  ^vill  tell  you  honestly,  I  never  received  any  letter  or 
information  about  you  whatever  ;  but  I  am  persuaded  your 
sin  has  found  you  out ;  the  preaching  of  the  word  is  one 
method  by  which  God  makes  men's  sins  find  them  out.  Let 
me  entreat  you  seriously  to  consider  your  state  and 
character  ;  who  can  tell,  God  may  have  intended  this  sermon 
for  your  good  ;  he  may  mean  to  have  mercy  upon  you  ;  this 
may  be  the  means  of  saving  your  body  from  the  gallows,  and 
your  soul  from  hell ;  but  let  me  remind  you,  you  are  not 
there  yet ;  there  still  is  hope.'  He  held  down  his  head, 
clenched  his  hands  one  into  the  other,  and  bursting  into  tears, 
said,  '  I  never,  never  met  with  any  thing  like  this  ;  I  am  cer- 
tainly obliged  to  you  for  your  friendship  ;  I  am  guilty,  and 
hope  this  conversation  will  be  of  essential  advantage  to 
me.'  " 

A  little  more  than  two  years  ago,  I  was  preaching  in  an 


CLOSING   LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  259 

American  town.  A  merchant  was  there,  and  during  the  ser- 
mon his  portrait  was  so  correctly  drawn,  that  he  left  the 
house  in  a  rage.  Next  day,  he  was  going  to  wreak  his  ven- 
geance upon  a  shoemaker,  whom  he  suspected  to  be  the  in- 
former. The  poor  man  protested  that  he  had  never  men- 
tioned his  name  to  me,  nor  had  he  related  a  single  circumstance 
to  any  person,  connected  with  his  history. 

It  is  rather  amusing,  that  this  very  morning,  a  good  lady 
called  upon  me,  lamenting  in  bitter  terms  the  treachery  of 
her  enemies  ;  weeping,  as  if  her  heart  would  break  ;  re- 
proaching me,  at  the  same  time,  with  the  meanness  of  my 
conduct,  in  exposing  her  before  the  whole  congregation.  I  en- 
treated her  to  explain  ;  and  when  she  had  attained  sufficient 
composure,  reminded  me  of  a  sermon  I  had  preached  on  a  cer- 
tain night,  in  which  I  had  described  her  character.  Poor  wo- 
man, her  likeness  had  been  so  ''  striking"  that  it  had  nearly 
thrown  her  into  a  state  of  frenzy.  The  malice  of  her  neighbors, 
and  my  ungentlemanly  behavior  in  the  pulpit,  descending 
to  sjch  personalities,  and  daring  to  drag  her  before  such  mul- 
titudes, were  unbearable.  In  order  to  reheve  the  distressed 
woman,  I  had  to  call  God  to  witness,  that  no  person  had  ever 
said  a  word  about  her  to  me,  in  any  way  whatever  ;  and  that 
I  had  no  recollection  of  having  ever  seen  her  before.  What 
her  after  reflections  were,  I  know  not,  but  it  is  to  be  hoped, 
she  has  this  day  learned  a  lesson,  which  may  be  an  eternal 
blessing  to  her. 

Take  care,  then,  my  dear  Sir,  of  what  you  are  about,  lest 
you  may  find  yourself  fighting  against  God.  He  always 
warns  before  he  strikes,  and  gives  repeated  blows  ere  the 
final  one  is  inflicted.  Repent,  man ;  the  last  stroke  is  coming, 
and  the  longer  the  swing,  the  more  tremendous  it  will  be 
when  it  comes.  There  is  little  of  man  in  this  business.  The 
warning  is  from  Heaven  ;   it  has  been  delivered  faithfully, 


260  CLOSING  LABORS   IN  LIVERPOOL. 

and  has  fomid  a  lodgment  in  your  conscience.      Attend  to 
it ;   but,  0,  do  not  quarrel  with  me  ! 

*'  When  God  supports,  who  then  can  cast  us  down  ? 
His  smiles  are  life,  but  death  attends  his  frown." 

Ludicrous  as  the  following  may  appear,  your  conduct  bears 
to  it  an  exact  resemblance.  I  remember  nothing  better  as 
an  illustration.  A  few  y^ars  ago,  in  the  vicinity  of  an 
American  to^Yn,  (the  scene,  by  the  way,  of  a  part  of  my 
labors  in  the  ministry,)  the  circumstance  which  follows  oc- 
curred. It  was  related  to  me  as  a  fact,  by  a  man  of  veraci- 
ty. Near  the  town  was  a  canal,  along  the  bank  of  which, 
a  fellow  was  one  day  walking,  when  a  thunder  cloud  came 
rolling  up.  A  sudden  flash  of  lightning,  attended  by  a  peal 
of  thunder,  startled  him ;  and  about  the  same  moment  he 
received  a  stunning  blow.  It  appears  the  lightning  had 
struck  very  near  him,  and  a  powerful  electric  shock  was  the 
result.  He  was  probably  within  a  hair's  breadth  of  losing 
his  life.  But  instead  of  considering  the  concussion  as  arising 
from  the  violence  of  the  lightning,  he  suspected  some  one 
had  struck  him  with  a  stone.  Determining  upon  vengeance, 
he  scrambled  around  for  a  weapon,  and  seizing  a  large  clod 
of  hard  earth,  he  fixed  his  body  in  a  certain  attitude,  and  his 
arm  in  a  proper  position,  and  waited  for  his  supposed  enemy  to 
peep  from  behind  the  abutment  of  the  bridge  over  the  canal, 
that  he  might  repay  him  for  his  treachery.  Nobody  appear- 
ing, he  became  thoughtful,  mistrusted  the  cause,  and  threw 
down  the  clod  ;  the  nimble  lightning  had  disappeared,  and 
the  source  of  its  power  was  too  high  for  his  revenge.  Job 
xxviii.  26. 

But,  can  you  see  no  resemblance  of  yourself  here  ?  Why 
this  menacing  attitude  against  your  humble  servant  ?  If  the 
truth  of  God  has  reaohed  your  heart ;  if  facts,  of  which  I 


CLOSING   LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  261 

am  not  the  author,  have  struck  you  into  remorse,  am  I  to  be 
blamed  ?  Yours  is  the  fault,  for  having  prepared  yourself, 
by  a  course  of  sin,  to  be  thus  astounded  by  the  truth  of  God. 
Those  convictions,  which  have  blazed  across  your  mind,  have 
had  a  higher  origin  than  man.  You  have  received  a  shock 
from  Heaven — the  Holy  Spirit's  lightning-stroke  ;  you  should 
thank  God  you  were  not  struck  into  hell.  And  yet,  like  the 
man  stunned  by  the  hghtning,  you  impute  it  to  a  fellow 
creature.  If  you  dare  not  retaliate  with  blows,  you  have  re- 
sorted to  very  hard  words.  Pardon  my  again  alluding  to  the 
above  incident ;  but  there  is  a  moral  in  it.  Missing  a  stone, 
he  grappled  a  clod,  and  though  bones  w^ould  not  have  been 
broken,  yet  he  might  have  insulted  an  innocent  person, 
for  which  a  humihating  apology  would  have  been  demanded. 
When  in  Ireland,  last  June,  one  of  the  preachers  related 
the  following,  in  which  I  was  much  interested.  A  certain 
preacher  was  holding  forth,  in  a  certain  place,  and  he  de- 
scribed the  character  of  a  sinner  present,  so  strikingly,  that 
he  concluded  the  minister  was  pointing  him  out,  knowing  him 
to  be  there.  The  next  night  he  concealed  himself  in  a  cor- 
ner, where  he  was  sure  the  preacher  could  not  see  him.  The 
preaching,  however,  was  as  personal  as  ever,  and  his  feelings 
so  correctly  delineated,  that  there  could  be  no  mistake, — he 
had  been  detected.  The  succeeding  night,  he  secreted  his 
person  where  there  could  be  no  possibility  of  being  seen.  It 
was  of  no  use ;  during  the  sermon,  the  voice  of  the  servant 
of  God  fell  upon  his  ear  like  thunder  :  "  Sinner  !  come  out 
of  your  lurking-place  ;  thou  art  the  man !  "  "  Ah  !  well,"  he 
thought,  "  what  avails  it  ?  Somebody  has  been  telling  the 
stranger  all  about  me  ;  but  I  shall  not  leave  till  I  know  who 
the  vagabond  is."  After  preaching,  he  stepped  forward,  and 
boldly  inquired  of  the  minister  who  it  was  that  had  been 
"  after  teUing  such  things  "  about  hun.     "  I  have  nothing 


262         CLOSING  LABOKS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

against  your  honor,"  and,  doubling  his  fist,  he  declared  what 
he  would  do  to  "  the  rascally  informer."  ^'  My  friend,"  said 
the  other,  "  no  human  being  has  told  me  any  thing  about 
you  ;  but  the  Spirit  of  God  has."  Conviction  at  that  mo- 
ment fastened  upon  his  heart,  and  he  rested  not  till  he  found 
salvation.  I  believe  he  is  yet  aUve,  and  on  his  way  to 
heaven. 

You  say, "  Your  preaching  would  sting  and  terrify  a  devil." 
Well,  you  know,  it  is  written,  "  The  devils  also  believe  and 
tremble."  Is  it  any  wonder  then,  that  the  truth  has  af- 
fected you,  as  it  is  to  be  hoped  you  are  of  a  softer  material  ? 
It  reminds  me  of  what  Eupolis  said  of  Pericles  —  "  After  his 
orations  to  the  people  of  Athens,  it  was  found  he  had  left 
certain  needles  and  stings  in  their  minds."  I  should  be 
ashamed  of  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  if  they  could  not 
accomplish  more  than  the  pohtics  and  philosophy  of  Pericles. 
You  are  a  witness,  that  the  gospel  is  the  same  now  as  in  the 
days  of  St.  Peter,  "  when  thousands  were  pricked  in  their 
heart,  and  inquired,  Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we 
do  ?  "  Acts  ii.  37.  But  on  that  very  day  their  wounds  were 
healed  by  faith  in  that  blood  which  they  had  shed  on  Calvary, 
and  about  three  thousand  souls  were  added  to  the  infant 
church.  You  are  quite  out  of  humor  with  a  sentiment  in  my 
last,  but  I  shall  repeat  it.  God  never  strikes  before  he  warns. 
It  is  remarkable  in  the  dealings  of  God  with  sinners,  how 
close  he  keeps  to  that  direction  given  through  Moses  to  the 
armies  of  Israel  — "  When  thou  comest  nigh  unto  a  city  to 
fight  against  it,  first  offer  conditions  of  peace."  "  It  was  on 
this  great  principle  Noah  was  sent  to  the  old  world,"  says  an 
old  divine  ;  "  Moses  and  Aaron  to  Egypt,  Lot  to  Sodom, 
Jonah  to  Nineveh,  and  the  prophets,  and  even  Christ,  to 
Jerusalem."  God  has  established  this  order  in  nature. 
Winter  is  always  preceded  by  the  chilling  breath  of  autumn, 


CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL.         263 

and  seared  leaves,  and  withered  flowers.  Evening  shades,  or 
twilight,  before  dark  night.  Thunder  never  bursts  over  our 
heads  in  a  clear  sky.  "  Clouds  are  his  chariots,  and  light- 
nings his  steeds."  The  volcano  grumbles  long  and  loud- 
ly, with  many  fitful  gleams,  and  much  smoke,  ere  it 
bursts  forth  to  overwhelm  vineyards  and  towns  at  its  base. 
The  hurricane  is  often  heralded  by  startling  changes  in  na- 
ture, and  those  who  are  observing,  prepare  for  its  fury. 

There  is  a  bitter  storm  approaching  you  ;  a  wing  of  it 
sweeps  you  already.  Strike  sail,  man,  before  its  entire 
weight  bursts  upon  your  unhappy  soul.  A  smooth  sea  and 
fair  appearances  do  not  always  deceive  the  experienced  eye 
of  the  sailor.  The  ocean  may  look  hke  a  standing  pool,  with 
scarcely  a  ripple  upon  its  surface  ;  yet  there  is  trouble  in  the 
oflBng,  and  the  top  and  top-gallants  are  lowered ;  in  fact 
there  is  little  left  but  naked  spars,  to  struggle  "with  the  first 
sudden  rush  of  the  tornado. 

God,  my  dear  Sir,  has  given  you  a  warning ;  prepare  for 
the  blow.  It  is  surely  coming.  Is  it  not  written,  "  Woe 
unto  him  that  striveth  with  his  Maker  ?  "  Who  can  deny 
those  striking  sentiments  of  a  good  man  ?  "  There  is  no 
contending  with  sovereignty ;  no  resisting  omnipotency  ;  no 
striving  with  our  Maker.  The  fish  that  is  caught  with  the 
hook,  the  more  he  jerks  and  flings,  the  faster  hold  the  hook 
takes  of  him.  The  harder  a  man  kicks  against  the  pricks, 
the  deeper  they  enter  into  his  heels.  An  earthen  pitcher, 
the  more  forcibly  it  is  dashed  against  an  iron  pot,  the  sooner 
it  flies  in  pieces.  In  like  manner,  the  more  we  contend  with 
God  and  his  judgments,  the  more  we  hurt,  wound,  and,  in 
the  end,  destroy  ourselves.  Be  not  like  the  dog  that  bites 
the  stone,  never  looking  upon  him  that  flings  it.  Mark  him 
who  aims  at  you,  and  has  hit  you ;  and  say  with  David,  '  I 
was  dumb,  and  opened  not  my  mouth,  because  thou  didst  it.' 


264  CLOSING   LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL. 

Or  cover  your  mouth  with  Job  :  '  Behold  I  am  vile,  what 
shall  I  answer  thee  ?  I  will  lay  my  hand  upon  my  mouth. 
Once  have  I  spoken,  but  I  will  not  answer  ;  yea  twice,  but 
I  will  proceed  no  farther.'  Job  xl.  4.  Have  you  read  of 
the  philosopher,  who  was  censured  for  not  holding  out  his  ar- 
gument with  Adrian,  the  emperor  ?  His  apology  was,  '  Is 
it  not  reason  to  yield  to  him,  who  hath  thirty  legions  at  his 
command  V  God  is  terrible  out  of  his  holy  places.  Legions 
innumerable  are  ready  to  avenge  his  quarrel.  He  could 
look  you  into  the  grave,  or  into  hell,  in  a  moment.  '  Be- 
cause there  is  wrath,  beware  lest  he  take  thee  away  with  his 
stroke.'  Job  xxxvi.  18.  Yield,  man !  Discontinue  the 
controversy.  He  would  have  doomed  you  to  destruction 
long  ago,  but  for  a  strong  desire  to  save.  You  have  an  Ad- 
vocate above.  He  died  for  you,  and  lives  to  intercede.  His 
blood  speaketh  better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel.  Fly  ! 
fly  to  the  cross !  and  plead  for  pardon  through  the  merits  of 
that  atoning  blood.  There  is  mercy  implied  in  all  these  warn- 
ings. Appeal  from  the  bar  of  justice,  to  the  throne  of  God's 
grace.  There  is  a  disposition  there  to  favor  your  cause. 
God  looks  graciously  from  thence  ;  a  Mediator  is  there,  and 
your  Judge  is  disposed  to  be  kind  through  him.  What 
would  a  criminal  do,  suppose  ye,  if  he  should  notice  an  in- 
clination to  mercy  in  his  judge  ?  Would  he  remain  listless 
with  such  an  advantage  before  him,  or  fail  to  urge  his  friends 
to  entreat  for  his  life  ?  Why  not  say  with  penitent  Austin, 
'  Why  do  I  still  procrastinate  my  coming  unto  thee,  0  Lord  ? 
Why  not  now  ?  Why  not  this  day  ?  Why  should  there  not 
be  this  hour  an  end  of  my  sinful  course  of  life  ?  '  " 
****** 

Your  first  inquiry  amuses  me.  "  Will  you  let  me  into  the 
secret  philosophy  of  these  revivals  ? "  Y^es,  with  all  my 
heart ! 


CLOSING   LABORS    IN   LIVERPOOL.  265 

"  Are  you  aware  that,  in  some  circles,  your  continued  suc- 
cess is  the  subject  of  various  speculations  ?  "  I  do  not  ques- 
tion it;  this  is  a  tax  which  persons  in  my  situation  must 
pay. 

"I  have  been  present  when  your  powers  of  mind  have 
been  discussed."  Better  they  had  been  employed  upon 
something  more  profitable. 

"  Much  was  said  of  your  peculiar  tact  for  conducting  re- 
vivals ;  one  called  it  a  kind  of  a  witchery  over  the  feelings 
of  the  people  ;  another  questioned  your  motives,"  etc.  I 
have  become  hardened  to  such  animadversions.  A  sinner, 
when  I  was  at  Bandon,  in  Ireland,  fled  from  the  chapel,  say- 
ing, "  He  is  enough  to  frighten  a  fellow  out  of  his  senses  ;  he 
must  have  been  the  very  devil  himself  before  he  took  to  this 
way,  or  he  could  not  tell  a  man  all  he  has  been  guilty  of." 
A  few  nights  since,  a  good  lady  left chapel,  exclaim- 
ing, "  The  man  is  a  wizard  ;  there  is  nothing^  in  one's  heart 
that  he  does  not  blab  out."  I  hope  she  will  have  no  rest 
till  converted  to  God. 

"Your  sermons  have  been  canvassed,  taken  to  pieces, 
analyzed,  compared  mih  those  of  other  ministers,  and  pro- 
nounced far  inferior  ;  but  the  results  seemed  to  stumble 
them."  So,  if  I  have  much  to  humble  me,  there  is,  after 
all,  something  to  encourage.  My  humble  success  is  owing 
to  an  influence  above  and  beyond  their  criticisms.  A  minis- 
ter once  came  to  hear  the  late  Mr.  WiUiam  Dawson  preach. 
After  sermon,  in  a  neighboring  house,  he  spoke  of  the  won- 
derful effects  produced  by  Mr.  D.'s  preaching,  and  wished 
that  he  could  accomplish  the  same  by  his  pulpit  efforts. 
"Ah,  Sir  !"  said  the  lady  of  the  house,  "you  must  move 
the  hand  of  Him  that  moves  the  world,  before  you  can  wit- 
ness these  effects."  The  "power  of  the  Holy  Ghost"  ac- 
companying hard,  patient,  steady,  constant  labor,  with  many 
23 


266         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

tears,  and  much  crying  to  God  in  private,  have  produced  the 
"results"  which  are  so  mysterious  to  those  of  whom  you 
speak.  Knee  work!  knee  work!!  knee  work!!!  This  is 
the  secret. 

"  My  powerful  groans  thou  canst  not  bear, 
Nor  stand  the  violence  of  prayer, 
Jly  prayer  omnipotent  !  " 

"  Give  me  a  revival,  convert  sinners,  or  I  pine  away  and 
die,"  is  a  cry  that  is  much  thought  of  in  heaven ;  nor  will 
He  who  pities  the  groanings  of  the  distressed  soul,  treat  it 
with  indifference.  He  will  come  down  out  of  the  holy  place, 
and  make  bare  his  arm  in  the  sight  of  all  the  people ;  wound 
the  dragon  and  cut  Rahab  in  pieces.  Then  shall  the  feeblest 
servant  of  God  often  thresh  the  mountains,  and  beat  the  hills 
to  chaff;  one  shall  chase  a  thousand,  and  two  put  ten  thou- 
sand to  flight,  and  the  slain  of  the  Lord  shall  be  many.  Let 
any  minister  (who  has  not  mistaken  his  call)  thus  plead  with 
God,  while,  week  after  week,  every  night,  from  a  full  and 
bleeding  heart,  he  pours  the  burning,  pointed  truths  of 
the  gospel,  into  the  ranks  of  sinners  ;  and,  whatever  may 
be  his  talents,  he  shall  be  a  joyful  witness  of  a  glorious  re- 
vival. 

As  to  the  "  getting  up"  of  my  sermons,  you  -will  find  the 
history  of  the  affair  in  a  lesson  I  once  received  from  an  old 
divine.  '^I  desire  my  sermons  to  be  like  Monica's  son; 
children  of  many  prayers  and  tears,  and  thereby  the  more 
unlikely  to  perish.  Let  all  your  sermons,  as  dew,  be  heaven- 
born,  that  they  may  drop  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown 
grass.  Let  prayer  be  the  key  to  open  the  mysteries  of 
Christ  to  you  ;  and  let  prayer  be  the  turning  of  the  key,  to 
lock  them  up  safe  within  you.  Let  prayer  open  and  shut  all 
your  books ;  form  and  write,  and  begin  and  continue  every 
sermon.     Ah !   how  should  he  pray  both  before  and  after 


CLOSING   LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  267 

his  preaching,  who  by  every  sermon  preaches  his  beloved 
neighbors  into  eternal  burnings  or  eternal  pleasures  ?  " 

The  "  serious  objections  "  of are,  indeed,  of  weight. 

They  remind  me  of  what  Pliny  the  Younger  reported  of 
Egypt ;  that  she  boasted  of  owing  nothing  to  the  clouds,  or 
any  foreign  streams,  for  her  fertihty,  being  abundantly 
watered  by  the  sole  inundations  of  her  own  river,  the  Nile. 
It  becomes  me,  as  a  stranger,  to  say  the  same  of  England. 
God  has,  mdeed,  greatly  enriched  her  with  the  streams  of 
salvation.  It  may  seem  presumption  for  a  wandering  cloud 
like  me  to  think  of  adding  any  thing  to  the  mighty  river  of 
religious  knowledge,  which  meanders  through  this  country  in 
all  directions.  May  I  not,  however,  comfort  myself  with  the 
reflection,  that  many  a  thirsty  spot  has  been  refreshed  by  a 
sprinkling  from  a  cloud,  wafted  from  afar  ?  I  trust  that 
many  in  Liverpool  do  know  that  the  stranger  does  not 
resemble  that  which  is  mentioned  by  St.  Jude,  "  A  cloud 
without  water." 

In  conclusion,  the  opinions  of  the  other  parties  weigh  quite 
as  light  with  me,  as  any  thing  enumerated  by  the  ancient 
poet : — 

*'  My  soul,  What's  lighter  than  a  feather  ?     Wind. 
Than  wind  ?    The  fire.    And  what  than  fire  ?     Moonshine. 
"What's  lighter  than  moonshine  ?    A  thought.    Than  thought  ? 
This  bubble  world.    What  than  this  bubble  ?    Nought." 

Mr.  Caughey  now  resumes  his  brief  notices  of  the  revival 
in  Liverpool. 

We  have  had  "  protracted  meetings  "  in  two  other  chapels 
on  the  South  Circuit :  Mount  Pleasant,  and  Wesley  chapel, 
Stanhope  street.  The  former  is  a  small  building,  in  which 
we  had  a  good  work,  though  I  did  not  enjoy  such  freedom  in 
preaching  there  as  elsewhere.  At  the  Stanhope  street 
chapel,  the  word  of  the  Lord  had  free  course,  and  was  glo- 


268         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

rified.  Here  my  soul  enjoyed  great  liberty,  and  many 
sinners  were  converted  to  God.  Although  I  had  some  trib- 
ulation to  endure,  yet  so  long  as  no  man  had  power  to  shut 
the  door  of  usefulness,  I  labored  on  with  joy  and  success. 
This  is  the  chapel,  in  which  my  kind  host  and  hostess,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Banning,  worship ;  and  I  found  a  large  portion  of 
the  congregation  possessed  of  the  same  elevated  and  enlight- 
ened views  of  the  work  of  God,  with  which  their  souls  are 
animated.  During  my  stay  in  this  chapel,  more  than  three 
hundred  sinners  obtained  remission  of  sins,  through  faith  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  The  last  night  we  spent  there,  we 
had  a  select  meeting  for  the  new  converts,  and  it  was  a  most 
affecting  time.  Scores  of  sinners  came  forward  at  the  close 
to  be  prayed  for,  and  a  few  were  saved.  My  mind  was 
greatly  oppressed  at  leaving  this  chapel  for  another  part  of 
the  town ;  but  the  aspect  of  circumstances  clearly  pointed 
out  my  path. 

Ah !  I  can  carry  myself  with  "  ease  and  indifference  '* 
towards  a  thousand  things  that  are  trying,  when  they  have 
no  connection  with  the  salvation  or  damnation  of  precious 
souls.  However,  what  sorely  pained  me,  was  overruled  for 
the  ''  furtherance  of  the  gospel."  A  poor  man  was  once 
heard  to  say,  that  he  was  once  rich,  and  had  learned  some- 
thing of  God  ;  that  he  prayed  continually  for  "  a  closer  walk 
with  God."  "  But  at  first,"  said  he,  "  when  God  began  to 
answer  my  prayers,  I  thought  he  was  going  to  destroy  me  ; 
he  deprived  me  of  every  thing  I  had  ;  but  he  gave  me  what 
was  of  infinitely  more  value,  even  to  know  more  of  himself 
and  Jesus."  And  thus  my  narrow  mind  mourned  over 
surrounding  difiiculties,  when  the  Lord  was,  by  these  means, 
leading  me  to  see  some  of  the  richest  displays  of  the  power 
of  God,  in  another  part  of  the  same  vineyard. 

The  Rev.  A.  E.  Farrar,  Superintendent  of  the  North 


CLOSING  LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  269 

Circuit,  kindly  invited  me  to  return  and  spend  a  few  weeks 
among  the  people  of  his  charge.  But  at  this  time,  the 
Welsh  Methodists  also  insisted  upon  having  a  claim  upon 
part  of  my  services,  and  gave  me  a  hearty  invitation  to  visit 
their  chapels.  I  questioned  the  propriety  of  the  step,  but 
the  following  arguments  of  a  few  friends  removed  my  objec- 
tions: "First,  these  Welsh  chapels  are  under  the  control  of 
our  Wesleyan  Conference,  and  from  that  body  the  congrega- 
tions receive  their  preachers,  who  minister  to  the  people  in 
the  Welsh  language.  Secondly,  the  chapels  are  in  the 
neighborhood  of  those  you  have  already  visited  on  the  South 
Circuit.  Thirdly,  although  they  are  accustomed  to  hear 
preaching  in  Welsh,  they  understand  enough  of  English  to 
make  it  a  medium  for  a  blessing  through  your  ministry. 
Fourthly,  many  of  the  wounded  sinners  you  are  leaving  at 
Wesley  chapel,  will  follow  you,  and  get  healed  among  the 
Welsh  Methodists."  Events  soon  proved,  that  they  were 
not  wrong  in  their  calculations  on  this  point. 

Many  of  the  English  leaders  and  local  preachers  accom- 
panied me,  and  after  sermon,  united  vigorously  in  prayer, 
for  an  outpouring  of  the  Hol}^  Spirit.  As  the  services  pro- 
gressed, we  discovered  that  the  Welsh  brethren,  though  full 
of  love  and  zeal,  had  the  disadvantage  of  not  bemg  able  to 
pray  fluently  in  English.  It  was  proposed  that  the  Welsh 
ministers,  with  their  leaders,  should  pray  in  Welsh,  alter- 
nately with  the  English  brethren.  The  plan  answered  admi- 
rably. Very  soon  the  power  of  God  was  displayed  in  the 
conversion  of  sinners.  When  the  English  leaders  prayed, 
the  responses  were  mostly  confined  to  the  English  Metho- 
dists ;  but  the  moment  a  Welsh  brother  began,  the  scene  and 
sounds  among  the  people  were  entirely  changed.  With 
uphfted  hands,  and  voices  indicatmg  the  deepest  emotion, 
they  responded  to  the  ardent  supplications  of  theii-  leader ; 
23* 


2T0         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

the  English  Christians,  in  the  mean  time,  remaining  in  solemn 
silence,  but  breaking  out  at  intervals  with  an  "■  amen,"  or 
"  glory,"  as  the  inflections  of  the  leading  voice,  or  the  amens 
of  the  Welsh,  resembling,  ''  Hear^  hear^  hear^''  indicated, 
until  the  feeling  became  so  overpowering,  that  restraint 
seemed  impossible,  and  a  general  burst  of  "  Glory  be  to 
God !  "  from  the  English,  mmgled  with  the  loud  hallelujahs 
of  the  Welsh. 

This  was  especially  the  case  when  their  minister,  the 
Rev.  *  *  *  *  *  *^  prayed.  He  is  considered  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  and  powerful  speakers  among  the  Welsh  preachers. 
He  is  a  man  of  fine  natural  powers,  richly  cultivated,  and  is 
deeply  devoted  to  God.  His  voice  has  considerable  compass 
and  sweetness,  and  capable  of  the  most  moving  intonations. 
I  speak  now  of  his  exercises  in  his  native  tongue.  He 
appeared  quite  indisposed  to  engage  in  English,  although  in 
private  he  converses  in  it  rather  fluently.  Whenever  he 
began  to  pray,  I  felt  my  whole  being  arrested.  His  voice 
arose  into  what  appeared  to  be  a  succession  of  climaxes,  and 
as  one  sentence  climbed  above  another,  the  congregation 
ascended  with  him,  until  the  effects  were  really  overpower- 
ing ;  and  when  he  came  to  the  loftiest  point,  —  when  every 
thing  of  the  highest  importance  to  man's  eternal  interests 
seemed  as  if  tottering  upon  the  rugged  pinnacle  of  some 
tremendous  precipice,  —  the  tears  which  streamed  down  his 
manly  face,  and  the  long,  loud,  and  heart-rending  cries  of 
Welsh  sinners,  mingling  with  the  subdued  tones  of  imploring 
believers,  told  those  of  us  who  could  not  understand  his  lan- 
guage, where  he  had  landed  them,  and  how  profoundly  awful 
were  the  effects  upon  their  minds.  Several  of  the  English 
brethren  told  me,  that  though  strangers  to  the  import  of  his 
words,,  they  felt  their  hearts  agitated  with  the  most  singular 
and  powerful  emotions.     Many  were  the  saved  of  the  Lord  ; 


CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL.         271 

but  to  what  extent  we  shall  never  know,  till  that  great  day 
when  Immanuel  comes  to  gather  home  his  jewels. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Farrar,  and  his  colleagues  in  the  ministry, 
together  with  the  leaders  and  local  preachers  of  the  Bruns- 
wick chapel,  becoming  pressing  in  their  solicitations,  that  I 
should  return  to  the  circuit,  and  hold  a  few  meetings  in  the 
above  place  of  worship,  we  reluctantly  concluded  the  services 
among  the  Welsli.  The  Brunswick  chapel  is  an  elegant 
building,  with  an  imposing  front,  adorned  with  columns,  and 
stands  on  a  fine  and  elevated  situation.  The  interior  is 
handsomely  fitted  up  in  the  form  of  an  amphitheatre,  one  tier 
of  seats  rising  above  another  to  a  considerable  height,  with- 
out any  gallery,  with  the  exception  of  two  small  wings  behind 
the  pulpit,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  orchestra  and  organ. 
It  seats  about  seventeen  hundred,  but  twenty-three  hundred 
can  be  crowded  into  it. 

Various  opinions  were  circulated  in  town,  respecting  the 
results  of  revival  efforts  in  this  chapel.  Many  wealthy  fam- 
ilies worship  here,  and  the  general  character  of  the  congre- 
gation is  serious  and  intelligent.  "  We  shall  see,"  said  the 
speculators,  "  how  revivals  will  go  on  among  the  aristocracy 
of  JNIethodism."  The  prevailing  opinion  was,  that  as  they 
had  long  been  considered  the  opponents  of  noise  and  excite- 
ment, a  failure  would  be  the  unquestionable  result.  Blessed 
be  God,  such  speculations  and  prophecies  have  come  to 
nothing.  Never  have  I  labored  with  more  freedom  and 
dehght  in  any  congregation,  or  with  gi-eater  success,  than  in 
the  Brunswick  chapel.  There  was  little,  if  any,  of  that 
mean  and  secret  opposition  I  have  met  with  elsewhere. 
"When  there  was  a  burst  of  noise,  attended  with  a  good  deal 
of  what  is  considered  revival  confusion,  they  bore  it  with  a 
noble  generosity,  and  a  forbearance  that  did  them  honor. 
Men  and  women  of  mind,  education,  and  influence,  retained 


272         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

their  seats  in  solemn  awe.  They  saw  the  distress  of  sinners, 
and  sympathized  with  them,  and  how  peculiarly  the  minis- 
ters and  leaders  were  situated  ;  often  taking  our  part,  saying, 
"  We  do  not  see  how  the  meetings  could  be  managed  better, 
if  the  revival  is  to  go  on  at  all.  The  congregation  is  increas- 
ing, the  society  enlarging,  classes  are  being  filled  with  con- 
verted sinners  from  the  world.  That  we  needed  such  a 
visitation  as  this  is  quite  plain,  whatever  the  results  may  be  ; 
and  we  shall  neither  run  away  from  this  astonishing  move- 
ment, nor  shall  we  oppose  it." 

It  is  right,  however,  that  credit  should  be  given  where  it 
is  due.  I  am  convinced,  that  the  noble  conduct  of  many 
influential  individuals  and  families,  has  imbibed  a  most  gra- 
cious influence  from  the  position  taken  by  their  excellent 
Superintendent  and  his  worthy  colleagues.  These  servants 
of  God,  in  public  and  private,  acknowledge  and  defend  the 
revival ;  and  great  as  is  their  popularity,  cheerfully  and 
generously  ofier  me  their  pulpits,  and  every  co-operation 
within  their  power. 

During  the  first  week,  forty  professed  conversion ;  and 
during  the  next,  forty-four.  The  revival  is  still  progressing 
gloriously  in  Brunswick  chapel.  Many  have  been  saved 
within  a  few  days  past.  I  have  been  preaching  to  the 
young  the  last  two  nights,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  has 
had  free  course,  and  is  glorified. 

The  Temperance  cause  in  Liverpool  is  progressing.  I 
have  delivered  several  lectures  in  the  Music  Hall,  on  the 
propriety  of  total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  liquors ;  a 
large  number,  each  night,  joined  the  Tee-total  Society.  A 
tea  meeting  has  been  given  by  the  tee-totallers,  "  to  cele- 
brate the  arrival"  of  your  friend  in  England.  The  affair 
was  got  up  in  a  most  tasteful  and  spirited  manner ;  and  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  taking  tea  with  about  seven  hundred 


CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL.         273 

persons  in  the  Music  Hall.  The  company  was  highly  respect- 
able. After  tea,  several  excellent  addresses  were  delivered. 
One,  especially,  by  a  Wesleyan  minister,  the  Rev.  George 
B.  Macdonald,  of  Leeds,  was  most  eloquent  and  comdncing. 
In  the  present  age,  a  minister  deprives  himself  of  a  great 
moral  power,  when,  for  the  sake  of  a  little  wine  now  and 
again,  he  excludes  himself  from  such  fine  opportunities  of 
scattering  the  eternal  truths  of  God,  among  a  mass  of  mind 
which  otherwise  he  could  never  reach.  Mr.  Macdonald  told 
some  thrilling  anecdotes,  which  had  a  direct  tendency  to 
awaken  sinners  to  the  concerns  of  eternity.  I  have  no 
doubt  great  good  was  done. 

Here  follows  some  opinions  concerning  a  nervous  person, 
of  whom  Mr.  Caughey's  correspondent  had  written.  These 
sudden  digressions  grow  naturally  out  of  an  epistolary  style, 
although  they  embarrass  an  attempt  at  consecutive  narrative 
with  such  materials. 

I  had  almost  forgotten  the  case  of  ******  .  There  is 
a  close  connection  between  the  body  and  the  mind,  and  they 
always,  more  or  less,  exert  a  mutual  influence  upon  each 
other.  "  The  web  of  life,"  says  one,  "  the  soul  and  body,  are 
strangely  and  intimately  interwoven  with  each  other,  and  a 
reciprocal  influence  is  constantly  exerted.  The  system  acts 
upon  the  mind,  and  the  mind  upon  the  system."  I  apprehend, 
however,  that  Mr.  *****'§  trouble  has  originated  from  a 
source  that  he  is  not  willing  to  allow ;  that  is,  the  separation 
of  his  soul  from  close  and  intimate  communion  with  God. 

I  was  much  struck,  when  reading  Lord  Nelson's  Life,  with 
the  account  he  gives  in  one  of  his  private  letters,  of  the 
secret  unhappiness  of  his  heart  when  almost  at  the  height 
of  his  glory.  "  There  is  no  true  happiness  in  this  life ;  and 
in  my  present  state,  I  could  quit  it  with  a  smile.     BeUeve 


274         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

me,  mj  only  wish  is  to  sink  with  honor  to  the  grave.  Not 
that  I  am  insensible  to  the  honors  and  riches  my  king  and 
country  have  heaped  upon  me,  so  much  more  than  any  officer 
could  deserve  ;  yet  I  am  ready  to  quit  this  world  of  trouble, 
and  envy  none  but  those  of  the  estate,  six  feet  by  two." 

How  true  is  the  language  of  the  poet,  and  it  is  applicable 
to  every  unconverted  sinner  ;  nor  shall  it  ever  be  otherwise, 
till  the  soul  finds  rest  in  God :  — 

"  In  all  our  plenty,  something  still, 
To  thee,  to  me,  to  him  is  wanting ; 
That  cruel  something  unpossessed, 
CoiTodes  and  cankers  all  the  rest. 
And  even  while  fashion's  brightest  arts  decoy, 
The  heart,  distrusting,  asks  if  this  be  joy." 

The  record  of  the  experience  of  one  now  lies  upon  my 
table,  who  represents  himself  as  the  gayest  of  the  gay,  w^hen 
mingling  in  the  night  scenes  of  revelry,  fashion,  and  song; 
but  in  the  midnight  hour,  when  lighter  hearts  are  lost  in 
sleep,  his  depression  is  so  great,  that  "  this  sweet  oblivious 
antidote"  flies  from  his  couch.  Morning  comes,  and  the 
smile  is  assumed,  and,  like  the  expiring  eagle,  he  covers  his 
wounds  by  the  wings  of  a  fancied  gayety.  "  There  is  not  a 
blessing  springs  upon  my  path,  but  mildew  covers  it;  nor 
a  flower  that  blooms  there,  that  does  not  wither  and  die. 
Although  gray  hairs  have  not  silvered  my  head,  yet  my 
hopes  are  dead,  and  now  in  my  prime,  I  must,  it  is  most 
likely,  sink  to  my  grave,  with  an  icy  chilliness  rife  at  my 
heart.     'My  life  is  steered  by  misery's  chart.'  " 

*'  Thus,  though  the  smiles  of  cheerfulness 
May  hide  from  sight  an  aching  heart, 
They  cannot  make  its  misery  less, 
Nor  bid  the  frown  of  fate  depart. 
And  though  no  tears  bedew  the  eye, 
Nor  outward  signs  of  grief  appear, 
The  brain  may  burn  without  a  sigh. 
The  heart  may  break  without  a  tear." 


CLOSING   LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  275 

As  to  the  opinions  of  the  physician,  respecting  Mr.  *  *  •, 
it  would  be  perhaps  bold  in  me  to  contradict,  but  I  shall  take 
the  Hberty  to  transcribe  a  few  thoughts  of  Mr.  Wesley  upon 
the  subject,  which  you  may  let  him  see  when  convenient. 

"  When  physicians  meet  with  disorders  which  they  do  not 
understand,  they  commonly  term  them  nervous;  a  word  that 
conveys  to  us  no  determinate  idea,  but  is  a  good  cover  for 
learned  ignorance.  But  these  are  often  no  natural  disorders 
of  the  body,  hut  the  hand  of  God  upon  the  soul,  being  a 
dull  consciousness  of  the  want  of  God,  and  the  unsatisfac- 
toriness  of  every  thing  here  below.  At  other  times,  it  is  a 
conviction  for  sin,  either  in  a  higher  or  lower  degree.  It  is 
no  wonder  that  those  who  are  strangers  to  rehgion  should 
not  know  what  to  make  of  this ;  and  that  consequently  all 
their  prescriptions  should  be  useless,  seemg  they  quite  mistake 
the  cause." 

As  to  amusements,  I  require  to  know  to  what  kind  you 
refer,  in  order  to  give  an  opinion.  We  should  never  indulge 
in  any  which  would  unfit  us  for  taking  pleasure  in  God,  or 
from  which  we  could  not  retire  for  private  prayer,  Avith  a 
good  conscience.  An  old  divine  says,  "  Like  skilful  mari- 
ners, we  may  make  use  of  the  side-wind  of  recreation,  to 
help  us  toward  the  haven  of  rest."  When  a  boy,  and  about 
to  make  a  clever  jump,  I  have  often  retired  backward  a  few 
steps,  in  order  to  accelerate  my  velocity ;  and  frequently, 
the  farther  back  I  went,  the  more  "way"  I  had  upon  me, 
as  a  sailor  would  express  it,  and  strength  and  agility  for  the 
intended  leap.  I  have  many  times  returned  to  study  with 
greater  vigor,  and  to  the  bosom  of  pay  God  with  increased 
delight,  after  a  short  relaxation  amidst  the  flowers  of  poetry, 
or  those  of  the  garden ;  in  music,  in  cheerful  conversation 
with  a  few  friends,  a  ramble  through  the  fields  and  woods, 
a  tug  at  the  oar,  or  an  hour  in  fellowship  with  the  spade, 


276         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

the  axe,  or  the  hammer.  A  friend  of  mine  has  often  said 
in  my  hearing,  "  Better  wear  out  shoes  than  sheets.  Exer- 
cise is  a  part  of  my  reUgion ;  I  take  it  from  principle,  be- 
cause I  am  bound  to  take  care  of  my  body  as  -well  as  my 
soul ;  and  I  remember  what  Cicero  says  :  '  For  man  is  not 
chiselled  out  of  the  rock,  nor  hewn  out  of  the  oak  ;  he  has  a 
body,  and  he  has  a  soul ;  the  one  is  actuated  by  the  intellect, 
the  other  by  the  senses.' 

'  Better  gather  health  in  fields,  unbought, 
Than  fee  the  doctor  for  a  nauseous  draught. 
The  wise  for  cure  on  exercise  depend  ; 
God  never  made  his  work  for  man  to  mend.'  " 

"  A  life  of  inaction,"  says  a  writer,  "  is  a  disuse  of  talents, 
and  a  perversion  of  intellect ;  and  our  leisure  days  are  the 
enemy's  busy  ones."  I  remember  two  proverbs,  one  used 
by  the  Turks,  and  the  other  by  the  Spaniards.  "  A  busy 
man  is  troubled  with  but  one  devil,  but  the  idle  man  with  a 
thousand."  "  Men  are  usually  tempted  by  the  devil,  but 
the  idle  man  positively  tempts  the  devil." 

"The  idle  man,"  says  one,  "soon  becomes  torpid,  and 
resembles  the  Indian  in  his  feelings,  insensibly  adopting  his 
maxim :  '  It  is  better  to  walk  than  to  run,  and  better  to 
stand  still  than  to  walk,  and  better  to  sit  than  to  stand,  and 
better  to  lie  than  to  sit.'  There  are  said  to  be  pleasures  to 
madmen,  known  only  to  madmen  ;  there  are  certainly  mis- 
eries to  the  idle,  which  only  the  idle  can  conceive." 

"  A  want  of  occupation  is  not  rest ; 
A  mind  quite  vacant  is  a  mind  distressed." 

His  account  of  his  labors  is  now  again  resumed. 

My  labors  are  now  nearly  finished  in  this  town.  On  the 
nights  of  the  5th,  6th,  and  7th  of  April,  1843,  I  preached 
farewell  sermons  in  Great  Homer  street,  Brunswick,  and  Pitt 


CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL.         277 

street  cliapels.  Two  of  those  nights,  the  rain  came  down  in 
torrents,  but  this  did  nob  prevent  the  chapels  from  being 
crowded. 

This  week  has  been  a  season  of  rest,  with  the  exception 
of  addresses  delivered  at  two  Missionary  meetings.  On  both 
occasions,  I  had  the  honor  of  presenting  several  sums  in  gold, 
handed  to  me  by  the  friends  of  Missions. 

The  Weslejan  Methodists,  English  and  Welsh,  have  seven 
principal  chapels  in  town  ;  the  Brunswick,  Wesley,  and  Great 
Homer  street,  are  the  most  elegant.  Four  of  them  are  fur- 
nished with  handsome  and  fine-toned  organs.  That  in  Great 
Homer  street  I  consider  the  sweetest  and  most  powerful ; 
and  full  justice  is  done  to  the  instrument,  by  the  accom- 
plished organist.  His  ear  seems  to  be  acute  for  poetry  as  for 
music.  It  is  sufiicient  for  the  officiating  minister  to  emphasize 
a  word,  or  line,  in  the  verse,  and  I  have  seldom  observed  an 
absence  of  a  corresponding  expression  in  the  music. 

The  congregation  appear  to  have  more  confidence  in  unit- 
ing with  the  organ  than  I  have  ever  witnessed  in  any  place 
of  worship.  The  Ufe  and  soul  he  throws  into  the  instrument 
allure  or  compel  the  people  to  sing.  Such  a  state  of  things 
tends  admirably  to  the  liveluiess  and  devotion  of  the  audience : 
and  it  is  desirable  that  every  organist  should  endeavor  to 
bear  with  a  little  inaccuracy  or  discord,  now  and  then,  for 
the  sake  of  encouraging  the  congregation  to  unite  heartily  in 
this  very  important  part  of  the  worship  of  God.  In  this 
chapel,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  I  have  had  liberty  granted 
me  to  select  any  hymn  in  the  book,  for  the  service  ;  and  I 
assure  you,  I  have  luxuriated  amidst  some  of  the  most  sub- 
lime and  beautiful  poetry  in  the  collection ;  which,  though 
often  admired,  I  never  before  dared  to  offer  in  the  sanctuary. 
Years  ago,  I  copied  the  following  fines  from  one  of  the  poets, 
and  sometimes  in  the  course  of  my  travels,  have  had  them 
24 


278         CLOSING  LABORS  IN  LIVERPOOL. 

delightfully  realized  ;  but  never  as  in  the  Great  Homer  street 
Weslejan  chapel,  and  throughout  such  a  succession  of 
services :  — 

"  The  silenced  preacher  yields  to  potent  strain, 
And  feels  tliat  grace  his  prayer  besought  in  vain ; 
The  blessing  thrills  through  all  the  laboring  throng, 
And  heaven  is  won  by  violence  of  song." 

Of  the  final  results  of  his  labors  in  Liverpool,  Mr. 
Caughey  thus  writes  :  — 

I  spent  five  months  in  Liverpool,  preached  one  hundred 
and  twenty  times,  delivered  five  Temperance  lectures,  and  a 
few  Missionary  speeches.  From  books  kept  by  different  sec- 
retaries, we  learned  that  more  than  thirteen  hundred  persons 
found  peace  with  God.  I  see,  however,  by  a  sermon  on  the 
revival,  lately  published  by  the  Rev.  John  H.  James,  that 
he  estimates  the  number  at  one  thousand ;  but  in  a  private 
letter  to  me,  he  says  the  number  is  much  understated,  for  pru- 
dential reasons.  It  is  an  eloquent  and  excellent  production, 
and  a  masterly  defence  of  the  revival.  About  six  hundred 
of  the  above  were  members  of  the  Wesleyan  church  when 
they  were  converted.  What  the  increase  to  the  church  is 
likely  to  be,  I  have  not  yet  learned. 

The  night  previous  to  my  leaving  Liverpool,  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  taking  tea  with  about  five  hundred  persons,  in 
the  school-room  of  Great  Homer  street  chapel ;  after  which 
we  adjourned  to  the  chapel,  where  we  had  an  excellent 
meeting. 

Twelve  speakers,  local  preachers  and  leaders,  had  been 
appointed  for  the  occasion,  limited  to  ten  minutes  each.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Farrar  occupied  the  chair.  Several  appropriate 
resolutions  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  persons  referred 
to,  for  the  adoption  of  the  meeting. 

I  was  charmed  with  the  intelligence,  good  sense,  and  di- 


CLOSma  LABORS   IN   LIVERPOOL.  279 

vine  unction,  bj  which  the  speeches  were  distinguished ; 
some  of  them,  too,  were  really  eloquent.  The  effects  must 
have  been  salutary,  especially  upon  the  minds  of  the  young 
converts,  many  of  whom  were  present. 

Your  friend  made  the  closing  speech,  but  his  emotions 
were  too  deep  and  powerful  for  him  to  find  words  readily  to 
express  himself.  The  kind  address  of  IMr.  Farrar,  full  of 
love,  and  the  delicate  and  touching  allusions  of  the  brethren, 
were  almost  too  much  for  his  sensitive  nature  to  sustain.  The 
service  closed  by  prayer,  and  singing  that  beautiful  hymn  in 
your  hymn-book  —  surprised  not  to  find  it  in  the  Wesleyan 
collection :  — 

"  0  thou  God  of  my  salvation." 

They  had,  however,  a  great  many  copies  of  it  printed,  and 
set  to  a  piece  of  music,  called  ^'  Caughey."  Mr.  Ashton 
did  it  great  justice  with  the  powerful  organ  ;  and  the  congre- 
gation united  as  if  they  had  been  accustomed  to  it  for  years. 
The  Lord  has  a  precious  people  in  Liverpool.  Although 
I  had  many  sore  exercises  of  mind,  while  there,  and  was  with 
them  "in  weakness  and  in  fear,  and  in  much  trembling," 
(1  Cor.  ii.  3,)  they  bore  with  me,  and  upheld  me  in  the  arms 
of  faith  and  prayer.  He  also,  who  knew  my  weaknesses, 
provided  me  with  pleasant  homes  at  the  houses  of  Mr.  Fannin 
and  Mr.  Banning,  of  whom  mention  was  made  in  a  former 
letter.  In  the  bosom  of  these  amiable  famiUes,  my  drooping 
mind  was  often  cheered.  The  day  I  parted  with  them  shall 
never  be  forgotten. 

"  Friendship  !  mysterious  cement  of  the  soul, 
Sweetener  of  life,  and  solder  of  society, 
I  owe  thee  mucli  : 

Thou  hast  deserved  from  me  far,  far  beyond 
W'hat  I  can  e'er  repay. 
Oft  have  I  proved  the  labor  of  thy  love, 
And  the  warm  efforts  of  the  gentle  heart 
To  please," 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

GEEAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

No  introduction  seems  necessary  to  this  chapter  unless  we 
call  on  the  spiritual  reader  to  rejoice  in  God  for  the  wonder- 
ful work  it  describes,  or  stimulate  the  minister  who  may 
peruse  it  to  emulate  Mr.  Caughey's  success.  Let  every  min- 
ister inquire,  as  he  reads,  why  all  of  us  who  are  called  of 
God  do  not  count  our  seals  by  thousands  instead  of  by  units  ? 
Who  ?  Who  is  in  fault  ?  Or  is  it  not  the  will  of  God  to 
grant  the  Uke  measure  of  his  Spirit  to  all  ?  Who  can  solve 
the  interesting  question  ? 

On  the  21st  of  April,  1843, 1  left  Liverpool  for  Leeds,  by 
railway,  ninety  miles,  where  I  arrived  at  half  past  seven 
in  the  evening,  and  put  up  at  the  house  of  a  land  friend,  the 
Rev.  William  Lord,  and  received  a  cordial  welcome. 

The  evening  after  my  arrival  in  Leeds,  through  the  kind- 
ness of  the  Rev.  William  Lord,  Superintendent  of  the  Leeds 
First  Circuit,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  taking  tea  with  a  few  of 
the  principal  friends.  All  appeared  to  be  deeply  anxious  for 
a  revival  of  the  work  of  God.  My  soul  was  much  encour- 
aged by  the  congeniality  of  spirit  I  felt  with  these  excellent 
persons.  It  was  agreed  that  we  should  commence  efforts  for 
a  revival  in  the  Oxford  Place  chapel,  which  we  did  on  the 
evening  of  the  23d  of  April,  and  concluded  on  the  5th  of 
280 


GREAT   REVIVAL   IN   LEEDS.  281 

May.  During  that  time  the  congregations  were  small,  and 
only  about  thirty  persons  professed  to  have  found  peace.  A 
meeting  of  the  preachers  was  then  called,  and  the  Superin- 
tendents of  the  four  circuits,  the  Rev.  ^Icssrs.  William 
Lord,  William  Kelk,  Thomas  Harris,  Alexander  Strachan, 
with  their  colleagues,  met,  and  after  much  conversation  upon 
the  work  of  God,  it  was  agreed  that  I  should  visit  the  circuits 
in  succession,  and  spend  two  weeks  in  each.  Although  my 
judgment  was  averse  to  such  hasty  movements,  having  al- 
ways succeeded  best  in  staying  five  or  sLx  weeks  in  a  chapel, 
yet  I  gave  up  my  will  to  surrounding  counsellors,  and  our 
future  proceedings  were  settled  on  the  two  weeks  plan ;  at 
least,  until  each  of  the  circuits  should  have  had  a  visitation. 
On  the  7th  of  May,  I  opened  my  commission  in  St.  Peter's 
chapel,  (Third  Circuit,)  and  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day, 
we  found  that  twenty-nine  sinners  had  been  converted  to  God, 
one  half  of  whom  were  backsUders.  The  follo-vving  evening 
the  Rev.  William  Cattle  preached  a  powerful  sermon,  and 
thirty-five  found  peace,  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ; 
many  of  these  were  members,  who  had  long  been  groaning 
under  condemnation  for  sin.  We  continued  the  meetings  in 
this  chapel  with  similar  success  till  the  20th  inst.,  when  the  to- 
tal number  converted  was  two  hundred  and  fifty  ;  of  these,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  were  members,  fifty-one  backsUd- 
ers, and  the  remaining  seventy-three  were  from  the  world ; 
of  these,  many  were  from  adjacent  towns,  so  that  the  actual 
increase  will  be  very  small,  but  the  amount  of  good  to  the 
church  of  God  cannot  be  estimated.  On  Saturday  night, 
the  21st  inst.,  we  held  the  usual  band-meeting,  in  the  Old 
St.  Peter's  chapel.  You  may  not  understand  this  distinction. 
There  are  two  chapels  now  standing  upon  the  same  premises. 
The  old  one  is  a  plain  substantial  brick  building,  with  a  gal- 
lery, on  three  sides,  erected  in  Mr.  Wesley's  time ;  the  new 
24* 


282  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

one,  a  few  yards  distant,  is  a  commodious  edifice  of  the  same 
material,  accommodates  perhaps  two  thousand  four  hundred 
persons,  but  more  than  three  thousand  are  sometimes  within 
its  walls.  The  old  chapel  has  been  unoccupied  for  several 
years,  and  many  of  the  pews  have  been  removed.  Here  the 
Wesleys  and  Fletcher  often  preached. 

This  was  the  first  Methodist  chapel  in  Leeds ;  and  from 
the  following  account  given  by  the  Rev.  Charles  Wesley^  of 
a  fearful  accident,  in  which  he  was  involved  with  many  others, 
such  a  place  of  worship  was  greatly  needed  at  that  time  :  "  I 
met  the  brethren  at  Leeds-,  and  many  others,  in  an  old  upper 
room ;  after  singing,  I  shifted  my  place  to  draw  them  to  the 
upper  end.  One  desired  me  to  come  nearer  the  door,  that 
they  might  hear  without.  I  removed  again,  and  drew  the 
weight  of  the  people  after  me.  In  that  instant  the  floor 
sunk.  I  lost  my  senses,  but  recovered  them  in  a  moment, 
and  was  filled  with  power  from  above.  I  lifted  up  my  head 
first,  and  saw  the  people  under  me,  heaps  upon  heaps.  I 
cried  out,  '  Fear  not !  The  Lord  is  with  us.  Our  lives  are 
all  safe  ;  and  then, 

'  Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,' 

I  lifted  up  the  fallen  as  fast  as  I  could,  and  perceived  by 
their  countenances  which  were  our  children ;  several  of 
whom  were  hurt,  but  none  killed.  We  found,  when  the 
dust  and  tumult  were  a  little  settled,  that  the  rafters  had 
broken  off  short,  close  by  the  main  beam.  A  woman  lay 
dangerously  ill  in  a  room  below,  on  the  opposite  side,  and  a 
child  in  the  cradle,  just  under  the  ruins.  But  the  sick  wo- 
man, calling  the  nurse  a  minute  before,  she  carried  the  child 
with  her  to  the  standing  side,  and  all  three  were  preserved. 
Another  of  the  society  was  moved,  she  knew  not  why,  to  go 
out  with  her  child  just  before  the  room  fell.     Above  one 


GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS.  283 

hundred  lay  mth  me  among  the  wounded ;  though  I  did  not 
properly  fall,  but  slid  down  softly,  and  lighted  on  my  feet. 
My  hand  was  bruised,  and  part  of  the  skin  rubbed  off  my 
head.  One  sister  had  her  arm  broken,  and  set  immediately, 
rejoicing  with  joy  unspeakable.  Another,  strong  in  faith, 
was  so  crushed  that  she  expected  instant  death.  I  asked 
her,  when  she  got  to  bed,  whether  she  was  not  afraid  to  die. 
She  answered  that  she  was  without  fear,  even  when  she 
thought  her  soul  was  departing  ;  and  only  said,  in  calm  faith, 
*  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit ! '  Her  body  continues  full  of  pain, 
and  her  soul  of  love.  A  boy  of  eighteen  was  taken  up,  roar- 
ing, '  I  will  be  good  !  I  will  be  good  ! '  They  got  his  leg 
set,  which  was  broken  in  two  places.  He  had  come  as  usual  to 
make  disturbance,  and  struck  several  of  the  women  going  in, 
till  one  took  him  up  stairs,  for  Providence  to  teach  him  better. 

"  The  news  was  soon  spread  through  the  town,  and  drew 
many  to  the  place,  who  expressed  their  compassion  by  -wish- 
ing all  our  necks  had  been  broken.  I  preached  out  of  the 
town  in  weariness  and  painfulness.  The  Lord  was  our  strong 
consolation  however  ;  and  I  more  clearly  see  that  a  hair  can- 
not fall  to  the  ground  without  our  heavenly  Father.'^ 

In  the  old  sanctuary  alluded  to,  Mr.  Wesley  held  his  twen- 
ty-fifth Annual  Conference,  in  1769  ;  during  which  it  was 
determmed  to  send  out  preachers  to  America.  The  printed 
Minutes  of  that  Conference  now  He  before  me  :  — 

"  Leeds,  August  1, 1769. 

"  Question  13. — We  have  a  pressing  call  from  our  brethren 
in  New  York  (who  have  built  a  preaching-house)  to  come 
over  and  help  them.     Who  is  willing  to  go  ? 

"  Ansivej\  —  Richard  Boardman  and  Joseph  Pilmoor. 

"  Question  14.  — What  can  we  do  further  in  token  of  our 
brotherly  love  ? 


284  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

^'Answer. — Let  us  make  a  collection  among  ourselves. 
This  was  immediately  done,  and  out  of  it  X50  were  allotted 
towards  the  payment  of  their  debt,  and  about  X20  given  to 
our  brethren  for  their  passage." 

Mr.  Wesley  says  in  his  Journal:  '^  Sunday,  July  30, 1769, 
Mr.  Crook  being  out  of  order,  I  read  prayers  and  preached 
in  Hunslet  church,*  both  morning  and  afternoon.  At  five,  I 
preached  at  Leeds,  and  on  Monday,  31st,  prepared  all  things 
for  the  ensuing  Conference.  Tuesday,  1st,  it  began,  and  a 
more  loving  one  we  never  had.  On  Tuesday,  I  mentioned 
the  case  of  our  brethren  in  New  York,  who  had  built  the  first 
Methodist  preaching-house  in  America,  who  were  in  great 
want  of  money,  but  much  more  of  preachers." 

The  part  of  the  chapel  where  Boardman  and  Pilmoor 
stood,  when  they  offered  themselves  for  the  service  in  Amer- 
ica, was  pointed  out  to  me  to  the  right  of  the  pulpit  under  the 
gallery.  What  interest  do  past  events  afford  us  when  the 
results  are  fully  unfolded  !  At  the  time  of  the  above  Con- 
ference, the  number  of  Methodists  throughout  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland  did  not  much  exceed  28,000.  The  infant  society 
in  America  was  too  small  to  be  worthy  of  notice.  This  was 
the  entire  of  Methodism  in  the  world.  Now,  America 
alone  numbers  one  million  of  members  — ministered  unto  by 
four  thousand  travelling  preachers,  besides  four  hundred  su- 
peranuated  or  worn  out  preachers,  and  eight  thousand  local 
preachers. f  Thus,  Sir,  you  will  perceive  that  the  preachers 
alone  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  are  equal  to  the 
standing  army  of  the  United  States  !  —  an  event  this  that 
Mr.  Wesley  and  the  members  of  that  Conference  little  antici- 
pated.      The  number  of  members   in  Great   Britain   and 

*  A  short  walk  from  where  I  am  now  writing  —  Larchfield  House,  Hunslet 
lane,  near  Leeds. 

t  Their  number  since  1843  has  considerably  increased. 


GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS.  285 

Ireland,  and  in  foreign  stations,  under  the  care  of  the  British 
and  Irish  Wesleyan  Conferences,  is  nearly  half  a  million ; 
and  about  fifteen  hundred  and  fifty  efficient  ministers,  besides 
supernumerary  and  superannuated  preachers.  There  arc, 
besides,  in  Europe  and  America,  not  far  short  of  half  a 
million  of  Methodists  under  different  titles ;  such  as  Primi- 
tive Association,  Independent,  New  Connexion,  Canadian, 
and  Protestant  Methodists,  etc.  All  these  have  their  respect- 
ive ministers  ;  and  though  they  differ  in  the  mode  of  church 
government,  they  preach  the  same  doctrines  which  Wesley 
taught,  and  are,  I  trust,  aiming  at  the  glory  of  God,  the 
conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  salvation  of  a  lost  world. 

It  appears  from  the  Minutes  alluded  to,  that  the  name  of 
Francis  Asbury,*  did  not  stand  in  the  list  of  preachers  in 
full  connection,  till  the  Conference  of  1769,  as  also  Richard 
Whatcoat.  Their  names  are  placed  next  each  other.  As- 
bury, it  seems,  was  admitted  on  trial  as  a  preacher  in  1767, 
and  was  received  into  full  connection  in  1768. 

When  Boardman  and  Pilmoor  offered  themselves  for  the 
American  work,  Asbury  Httle  thought  what  hard  labors 
and  exalted  honors  awaited  him  in  that  country.  Pilmoor 
was  admitted  into  full  connection  in  1766,  in  Leeds ; 
three  years  after,  in  the  same  place,  he  volunteered  for 
America. 

It  was  not  till  the  Bristol  Conference,  1771,  that  Francis 
Asbury  was  appointed  to  the  W^estern  world.  The  twenty- 
sixth  question  on  the  Minutes  of  that  Conference  reads  thus : 
"  Our  brethren  in  America  call  aloud  for  help.  Who  are 
wUling  to  go  over  and  help  them  ?  Answer :  Five  are  will- 
ing to  go."  The  two  appointed  were  Francis  Asbury  and 
Richard  Wright.  In  the  appointment  of  these  servants  of 
God,  especially  xVsbury,  how  evident  does  it  appear  to  us 

*  Afterwards  Bishop  Asbury. 


286  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

now,  that  Mr.  Wesley  and  the  preachers  were  influenced  by 
the  same  spirit  that  directed  the  minds  of  the  apostles,  when 
Paul  and  Barnabas  were  separated  from  others,  for  the 
special  work  to  which  they  were  called  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Acts  xiii.  2.  Perhaps  these  remarks  may  lead  you  to  pro- 
cure Asbury's  Journal ;  if  you  have  not  seen  it,  I  can 
recommend  it  with  great  pleasure.  About  ten  years  ago,  I 
read  it,  and  made  the  following  entry  in  my  Journal:  "  Au- 
gust 14th.  Week  before  last  I  finished  reading  the  second 
and  third  volumes  of  Asbury's  Journal.  My  mind  frequently 
paused  in  amaze  while,  I  trust,  it  received  lessons  never  to 
be  forgotten.  What  a  man  of  God !  He  did  the  work  of 
an  evangelist  indeed,  and  made  full  proof  of  his  ministry. 
The  continent  was  his  circuit,  and  he  travelled  round  it  with 
the  regularity  of  a  Methodist  preacher.  After  taking  one 
of  his  tours,  in  which  he  had  endured  great  hardships  and 
suffered  much  pain,  he  learned  that  an  old  woman  had  been 
awakened  and  converted  through  his  instrumentality ;  he 
exclaimed,  '  Glory  be  to  God !  I  will  take  courage  from  this, 
and  go  round  the  continent  again.'  I  have  read  Mr.  Wes- 
ley's Journal  with  equal  attention,  and  my  conviction  is,  that 
what  the  latter  was  to  Methodism  in  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  such  was  the  former  to  Methodism  in  America. 
Although  Mr.  Asbury  suffered  less  from  riotous  mobs,  and 
other  persecutions,  than  did  Mr.  Wesley,  yet  he  endured 
more  from  bad  health,  bad  roads,  bad  beds,  indifferent  food, 
climbing  mountains,  fording  rivers,  together  with  the  extremes 
of  a  rigorous  climate,  in  traversing  the  wilderness  of  Amer- 
ica, till  he  was  old  and  grayheaded,  than  the  venerable 
founder  of  Methodism,  when  in  his  travels,  itinerating  through 
the  more  highly  cultivated  countries  of  England,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland.  Add  to  these,  the  heavy  responsibility  of  an  epis- 
copacy, —  the  stationing  of  the  preachers  over  such  a  wide 


GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS.  287 

extent  of  territory,  —  presiding  at  all  the  annual  confer- 
ences,—  bearing  the  reproaches  of  some,  and  the  murmur- 
ing of  others,  in  the  itinerancy  ;  and  all  this  united  for  many 
years,  with  almost  uninterrupted  bad  health,  —  I  closed  the 
last  volume,  saying,  I  doubt  whether,  since  the  days  of  the 
Apostles,  a  man  could  be  singled  out  who  has  labored  so 
long  and  so  hard,  and  endured  so  much  without  suffering 
martyrdom,  as  the  Rev.  Bishop  Asbury." 

Pardon  this  long  digression ;  but  to  return  to  the  old 
chapel ;  the  Rev.  Thomas  Harris,  Superintendent,  partly  to 
gratify  me,  and  also  to  accommodate  the  unusual  number 
expected  to  attend  the  Saturday  night  band-meeting,  had 
the  sacred  spot  prepared  for  our  reception.  I  can  scarcely 
describe  my  sensations,  on  taking  my  seat  with  the  other 
ministers,  and  glancing  round  the  venerable  edifice.  Mr. 
"VVesley  was  fond  of  large  pulpits ;  this  one  is  capable  of 
holding  seven  or  eight  persons  very  comfortably.  AVe  had 
a  noble  assembly,  many  of  them  the  choicest  saints  of  God ; 
and  this  "holy  house,"  the  birthplace  of  thousands  now  in 
glory,  and  where  multitudes,  low  in  the  dust,  worshipped  in 
years  gone  by,  was,  once  more,  vocal  with  the  praises  of  God 
and  the  loud  hallelujahs  of  his  people. 

Never  before  have  I  seen  or  heard  so  many  witnesses  for 
entire  sanctification.  The  deep  and  rich  experience  of  the 
fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel,  who  had  long  enjoyed  this 
blessing,  mingled  with  the  ardent  and  decided  testimonies 
of  those  who  had  been  lately  purified,  more  than  eighty  of 
whom,  during  the  last  two  weeks,  had  experienced  the  bless- 
edness of  those  who  are  pure  in  heart.  Towards  the  close 
of  the  meeting,  Mr.  Harris,  observing  the  intense  feelings  of 
those  who  were  seeking  purity,  requested  such  to  retire  into 
an  adjoining  class-room,  and  that  a  few  leaders  would  assist 
them  in  prayer.     Many  did  30 ;  and  between  twenty  and 


288  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

thirty  obtained  the  blessing  of  a  clean  heart,  while  we  con- 
tinued the  service  in  the  chapel. 

This  is  truly  a  great  and  glorious  revival  of  holiness.  If 
proper  care  be  taken  of  these  precious  believers,  and  the 
blessing  kept  fully  before  the  people  from  the  pulpit,  the 
entire  church  may  soon  be  a  leavened  and  holy  people  unto 
the  Lord.  Were  the  preachers,  after  these  special  services 
shall  have  ceased  in  the  town,  to  appropriate  one  night  in  the 
week  to  preach  expressly  upon  entire  sanctification,  it  would 
greatly  tend  to  this  desirable  result ;  and  those  who  have 
been  made  clean  would  then,  it  is  most  likely,  be  preserved. 
God  sanctifies  the  people  by  belief  of  the  truth,  John  xvii.  17, 
—  truth  clearly^  pomtedly^  diXidi  frequently  preached.  "Where 
the  pulpit  is  silent,  or  indistinct,  or  has  long  intervals  upon 
the  doctrine  of  entire  holiness,  it  is  seldom  you  will  find 
many  clear  on  these  "  deep  things  of  God,"  and  few  pro- 
fessing their  reception.  My  soul  has  often  paused,  in  holy 
awe  and  adoring  wonder,  in  marking  how  closely  the  Holy 
Ghost  attends  with  his  blessing  the  frequent  exhibition,  from 
the  pulpit,  of  this  glorious  privilege  of  all  believers.  I  have 
observed,  during  this  revival,  that  when  justification  has  been 
the  subject  of  discourse,  few  have  professed  sanctification ; 
but  invariably,  when  holiness  has  been  the  theme,  many  have 
been  the  witnesses  of  purity  of  heart.  Whatever  class  of 
truth,  it  would  appear,  is  brought  to  bear  upon  a  congregation, 
the  Holy  Spirit  condescends  to  make  that  the  medium  of  an 
according  blessing.  Perhaps  it  is  on  the  same  principle  we 
can  account  for  the  fact,  that  in  those  congregations  where 
justification  by  faith  and  the  witness  of  the  Spirit  are  not 
preached,  few,  if  any,  are  raised  up  to  testify  that  Jesus 
Christ  hath  power  upon  earth  to  forgive  sins  ;  whereas,  just 
the  contrary  takes  place  where  these  are  clearly  and  fully 
preached. 


GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS.  289 

On  Sabbath,  22d  instant,  we  commenced  a  series  of  reli- 
gious services  in  the  Wesley  Chapel,  (Fourth  Leeds  Circuit,) 
text,  1  Thess.  v.  16 — 18.  After  service,  I  dined  with  the 
celebrated  author  of  "The  Village  Blacksmith,"  the  Rev. 
James  Everett.  He  is  a  most  agreeable  man,  full  of  good 
humor ;  a  fine  illustration  of  Prov.  iii.  17.  Pleased  I  am  of 
havmg  had  an  opportunity  of  forming  an  acquaintance  with 
him.  He  resides  in  the  city  of  York,  and  is  here  to  preach 
special  sermons  in  behalf  of  an  institution  belonging  to  a  ncigh- 
bormg  Wesleyan  chapel.  Has  his  Life  of  Dawson  made  its 
appearance  in  America  ?  It  would  be  made  a  great  blessing, 
I  am  sure,  to  the  local  preachers  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and,  indeed,  to  the  regular  ministry.  If  it  has 
not  yet  been  republished  in  the  United  States,  you  might 
make  the  suo^o-estion  to  the  Book  Committee  in  New  York. 

In  the  evening,  to  a  large  congregation,  I  cried,  "  How 
long  halt  ye  between  two  opinions  ?  "  Twenty-five  persons 
decided  for  heaven,  laid  down  their  arms  at  the  feet  of  Jesus, 
and  obtained  redemption  through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness 
of  sins. 

I  spent  the  last  two  weeks,  most  agreeably,  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  Kinder,  of  the  St.  Peter's  Circuit,  where  I  was  hos- 
pitably entertained.  At  the  mansion  of  Mr.  Holdsworth, 
where  I  am  at  present,  I  enjoy  every  comfort  that  a  Chris- 
tian could  desire.  The  ministers  of  this  circuit,  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Strachan,  Superintendent,  and  the  Rev.  Wilson 
Brailsford  and  Thomas  Lewellyn,  are  exceedingly  kind,  and 
take  a  rejoicing  interest  in  the  revival. 

You  desire  my  opinion  in  the  case  of  *  *  *  ,  and  *  *  *  . 
I  consider  them  both  in  the  extreme  of  that  species  of  wrong 
which  should  be  rectified  if  they  desire  to  save  their  souls 
from  perdition.  To  the  /r«i,  I  would  say,  let  him  see  to  it 
that  his  o^yn  soul  is  in  a  safe  state,  before  he  allow  himself  to 
25 


290  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

indulge  in  sucli  uncharitable  and  wholesale  accusations.  It 
frequently  happens,  that  those  who  are  constant  in  the  cry, 
"  Woe,  woe,  woe  to  the  church  and  her  ministers,  because 
they  have  fallen  from  God,"  are  really  in  that  state  them- 
selves, and  shall  eventually  share,  unless  they  repent,  in  the 
same  woes  they  have  denounced  against  others.  Josephus 
tells  us  of  a  man,  afflicted  in  mind,  near  the  time  of  the 
downfall  of  Jerusalem,  who  ran  about  the  city,  crying,  "Woe 
to  the  city,  woe  to  the  temple,  woe  to  the  priests,  woe  to  the 
people  ;  and,  last  of  all,  woe  to  myself!  "  at  which  words  he 
was  slain  on  the  walls,  by  a  stone  out  of  a  sling.  I  think  it 
is  Plutarch  who  says,  "  They  who  delight  to  gad  abroad,  for 
the  most  part  have  smoky,  nasty,  or  dankish  houses,  or  at 
least,  ill  rule  and  no  content  at  home  ;  so  when  men  range 
abroad,  and  play  the  spies  and  scouts,  and  pry  into  other 
men's  actions,  it  is  a  sign  that  they  have  a  foul  house  at 
home^  and  ill  rule  in  their  own  conscience.''^  I  shall  borrow 
the  language  of  another,  in  speaking  to  the  case  of  the 
second,  '''Emulation  has  been  termed  a  spur  to  virtue,  and 
assumes  to  be  a  spur  of  gold.  But  it  is  a  spur  composed  of 
baser  materials,  and  if  tried  in  the  furnace,  will  be  found  to 
want  that  fixedness  which  is  the  characteristic  of  gold.  He 
that  pursues  virtue  only  to  surpass  others,  is  not  far  from 
wishing  others  less  forward  than  himself;  and  he  that  rejoices 
too  much  at  his  own  perfections,  will  be  too  little  grieved 
over  the  defects  of  other  men.  We  might  also  insist  upon 
this,  that  true  virtue,  although  the  most  humble  of  all  things, 
is  the  most  progressive  ;  it  must  persevere  to  the  end.  But, 
as  Alexander  scorned  the  Olympic  games  because  there 
were  no  kings  to  contend  with,  so  he  that  starts  only  to  out- 
strip others  will  suspend  his  exertions  when  that  is  attained ; 
and  self-love  will,  in  many  cases,  incline  him  to  stoop  for  the 
prize  even  before  he  has  obtained  the  victory.     But  the 


GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS.  291 

views  of  the  Christian  are  more  extensive,  and  more  endur- 
ing ;  his  ambition  is  not  to  conquer  others,  but  himself  ,  and 
he  unbuckles  his  armor  only  for  his  shroud. 

What  jou  mention  toward  the  close  of  your  letter,  I  con- 
sider to  be  one  of  the  most  touching  beauties  of  holiness ;  to 
be  enabled  to  aim  at  pleasing  God  in  every  thing,  and  to 
seek  and  find  our  first  happiness  in  him.  We  may  say  of 
such  a  principle,  as  an  old  philosopher  said  of  the  soul,  "  It 
is  in  the  whole  body,  and  in  every  part  of  it."  This  is  what 
our  Lord  meant  by  the  single  eye  ;  and  when  we  have  this 
singleness  of  intention,  of  pleasing  him  in  all  things,  and 
purity  of  afiection  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places  and  circum- 
stances ;  then  our  whole  body  shall  be  full  of  light.  An  old 
divine  tells  us,  that  holiness  in  our  hearts  should  be  as  the 
lungs  in  our  bodies,  in  continual  motion ;  and  that  holiness 
in  our  lives  must  run  through  all  our  words  and  conduct,  as 
the  woof  through  the  whole  web. 

Your  ideas  on  hope,  are  plausible,  perhaps  sound  ;  but  we 
must  die  to  know.  If  such  sentiments  lead  you  to  "  a  closer 
walk  with  God,"  and  to  be  more  entirely  devoted  to  him,  I 
can  see  no  harm  in  indulging  them ;  but  a  poet,  when  speak- 
ing of  heaven,  says,  — 

"  Where  hope,  the  sweet  singer  that  gladdened  the  earth, 
Lies  asleep  on  the  bosom  of  bliss." 

To  this  I  know  you  will  say,  "  Pretty,  but  not  sound." 
Well,  have  your  own  way. 

The  revival  is  still  progressing  with  considerable  power. 
In  my  last,  mention  was  made  of  the  commencement  of 
special  services  in  Wesley  chapel.  I  continued  my  efforts 
there  two  weeks,  but  was  disabled  part  of  the  time  from 
doing  much  by  an  obstinate  hoarseness.  The  results  were 
good,  but  more  than  the  half  of  those  converted  at  Wesley 
were  members  of  society.     There  is  evidently  a  great  move 


292  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

in  this  town,  but  it  is  singularly  confined  to  professors  of 
religion  under  our  observation.  The  report  is  brought 
weekly.  The  revival  does  not  grapple  with  the  people  of 
the  world  to  the  extent  that  one  would  expect,  and  this 
discourages  me.  About  fifty  persons  were  converted,  who 
were  not  members  of  society,  (at  Wesley  chapel,)  but,  on 
looking  over  the  list,  I  perceive  twenty  of  these  were  from 
the  country,  several  from  other  churches  in  town,  and  a  few 
from  the  other  Leeds  circuits,  so  that  the  poor  society  at 
Wesley  has  been,  I  fear,  but  little  improved  as  to  numbers, 
but  greatly  so  in  piety,  when  we  consider  the  conversion  of 
so  many  of  her  backslidden  and  unconverted  members. 

On  Sabbath  morning,  4th  of  June,  I  opened  my  commis- 
sion in  the  BrunsAvick  chapel,  Leeds  First  Circuit.  The 
Rev.  WilHam  Kelk,  Superintendent ;  his  colleagues  are  the 
Rev.  Francis  A.  West  and  George  T.  Perks.  Twenty 
souls  were  converted  the  first  night.  This  is  an  elegant 
chapel,  and  a  very  intelligent  and  influential  congregation. 
My  labors  among  them  have  been  hitherto  with  great  satis- 
faction and  comfort  to  my  own  mind.  We  have  not  wit- 
nessed a  single  pause  in  the  revival.  Sinners  are  converted, 
and  believers  sanctified  daily ;  but,  on  glancing  at  the  secre- 
tary's book  a  short  time  since,  I  was  amazed  at  the  largeness 
of  the  list  of  members  professing  conversion  ;  and  my  troubled 
heart  has  exclaimed  again  and  again.  Why  is  this  ?  I  should 
have  told  you,  that  to  prevent  exaggerated  reports  as  well 
as  to  afibrd  a  clue  to  the  residence  of  those  who  obtain  salvar 
tion,  we  have  a  person  appointed  to  converse  immediately 
with  those  who  profess  conversion  or  sanctification.  He  has 
a  book  lined  oif  into  columns,  and  headed  thus  :  Date,  Name, 
Residence,  Justification,  Sanctification,  In  society.  From  the 
world,  From  other  circuits.  From  other  churches.  Leader, 
Observations.      By  this  sheet  we  know  at  the  end  of  each 


GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS.  293 

week  the  exact  state  of  the  work,  so  far  at  least  as  the  sub- 
jects of  it  have  come  before  the  leaders'  meeting,  and  ar- 
rangements made  to  visit  those  persons  at  their  houses  who 
have  promised  to  meet  in  class,  or  who  may  have  requested  a 
few  days  for  consideration.  The  plan  is  excellent,  but  I  am 
not  able  to  inform  you,  as  yet,  how  far  it  has  been  carried 
out.  It  is  certainly  no  small  task ;  for  instance,  on  Sabbath, 
18th  inst.,  one  hundred  persons  professed  justification,  and 
forty-two  sanctification ;  now,  allowing  the  half  of  those  jus- 
tified to  have  been  from  the  world,  here  is  considerable  labor 
immediately  spread  before  the  pastors  and  ofl&cial  members, 
as  the  result  of  one  day.  How  great  the  responsibihty ! 
When  men  cry  to  God  for  a  revival,  they  httle  think,  if  grant- 
ed, the  amount  of  care  and  labor  it  must  bring  in  its  train. 

On  Saturday  night  last,  we  concluded  the  "  protracted 
meeting  "  in  the  Brunswick  chapel.  A  few  evenings  previous, 
we  had^a  meeting  for  the  new  converts,  similar  to  those  I 
have  described  in  other  letters.  We  had  a  most  gracious 
season. 

On  Saturday  night,  in  the  band-meeting,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Kelk  gave  an  account  of  the  advancement  of  the  work  of 
God,  during  the  last  month  of  special  services  in  Brunswick 
chapel.  Documents  were  produced,  from  which  it  was  as- 
certained, that  during  the  above  time,  the  total  number  pro- 
fessing to  have  obtained  justification  and  sanctification  were 
about  SLX  hundred.  Two  hundred  and  forty-four  of  these 
were  eases  of  sanctification.  One  hundred  and  fifty-six 
members  of  society  justified,*  and  the  remaining  two  hun- 
dred were  sinners  converted  from  the  world.  Upwards  of 
fifty  of  the  latter  were  from  the  coimtry,  and  the  rest  distribu- 
ted among  the  four  circuits  in  town,  and  other  churches  ;  so 
that,  comparatively,  Brunswick  will  have  but  a  small  increase. 
*  Romans  v.  1. 

25* 


294  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  LEEDS. 

My  heart  is  greatly  attached  to  the  society  and  congregation 
of  B.  They  are  a  lovely  people,  and  showed  me  much  re- 
spect and  kindness,  as  did  their  excellent  ministers.  My 
homes,  at  the  hospitable  mansions  of  Mr.  Heigham,  Mr. 
Smith,  and  Mr.  Shann,  where  I  am  at  present,  have  been 
every  thing  I  could  desire.  You  will  see,  therefore,  that  my 
stay  on  the  circuit  has  been  most  agreeable.  "  0,  to  grace, 
how  great  a  debtor!  "  I  believe  no  chapel  within  the  claim 
of  Methodism  could  produce  a  greater  number  of  talented 
and  devoted  leaders  than  those  which  belong  to  the  Bruns- 
wick chapel,  Leeds.  My  drooping  soul  was  often  enlivened 
and  warmed  by  their  life  and  glowing  zeal  during  the  con- 
flict. I  am  sorry  that  they  have  received  such  a  small  in- 
crease ;  but  the  real  good  diffused  throughout  the  entire 
society  cannot  be  estimated  by  numbers.  This  revival  was 
needed,  and  if  they  take  the  proper  advantage  of  their  pres- 
ent position,  they  shall  see  far  greater  things  than  these ; 
at  least,  were  the  revival  efforts  to  be  begun  now  at  Bruns- 
wick, I  should  expect  a  mighty  and  glorious  work. 

The  ministers  and  leaders  of  the  Oxford  place  chapel  have 
given  me  a  pressing  invitation  to  spend  a  few  weeks 
with  them,  which  has  been  accepted.  Yesterday  morning, 
(Sabbath,  July  2,)  we  commenced  "special  services"  there. 
I  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of  liberty  on  Col.  i.  19.  In  the  af- 
ternoon, I  assisted  the  Rev.  Mr.  West  in  the  administration 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,  at  Brunswick  chapel.  It  was  a  gra- 
cious season,  and  the  number  of  communicants  unusually 
large.  Returned  to  Oxford  Place  in  the  evening,  and 
preached  to  (some  say)  four  thousand  people.  Twenty-five 
sinners  were  converted  to  God. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE     OFFENDED    HEARER. 

At  Leeds,  as  elsewhere,  Mr.  Caughey  found  those  who 
could  not  endure  his  apostolic  simplicity  and  faithfulness. 
They  were  wounded  sorely.  Some  of  them  vented  their 
anger  in  letters  addressed  to  the  offending  preacher.  To 
some  of  these  letters  Mr.  C.  replied.  I  have  inserted  enough 
of  his  answers  to  make  a  chapter.  The  reader  will  agree  mth 
me  that  it  furnishes  a  model  of  faithful  dealing  with  offended 
hearers.  Any  minister  having  such  hearers  may  benefit 
them  by  calling  their  attention  to  these  pointed  appeals  and 
reasonmgs. 

It  is  not  the  first  time  I  have  been  called  a  "  fool,"  and 
designated  by  other  kindred  epithets ;  but  it  seems  the  fool 
has  drawn  your  portrait  "  to  the  life."  I  am  not  at  all  sur- 
prised that  you  are  displeased.  Had  it  been  otherwise,  I 
should  have  suspected  myself  a  flatterer.  A  few  months 
previous  to  my  leaving  America,  I  was  requested  to  sit  for 
my  portrait ;  and  deprecating  that  which  you  prefer,  I  charged 
the  artist  to  delineate  my  coarse  features  on  the  canvass  as 
they  were,  without  one  hue  or  lineament  of  flattery.  When 
busily  engaged  in  his  art,  I  inquired  whether  people  were 
not  sometimes  vexed  with  him  about  their  pictures.  He  un- 
derstood me.  "0  yes !  but  I  endeavor  to  avoid  that." 
"  By  what  means  ? "     "0  Sir,  I  can  readily  discern  from 

295 


296  THE   OFFENDED   HEARER. 

the  individual  who  sits,  whether  he  would  prefer  the  portrait 
more  handsome  than  himself;  then,  Sir,  I  flatter  a  little  ;  but 
when  I  discover  that  my  subject  desires  a  fac-simile  of  him- 
self, I  am  at  it  in  truth  and  honesty.  Such  are  never  of- 
fended." Ah  !  I  thought,  this  may  do  for  a  portrait-paint- 
er, but  not  for  a  minister  of  Christ.  The  portrait  may  not 
alFect  the  eternal  interests  of  the  painter  or  his  friend  ;  but  it 
is  quite  a  different  thing,  when  the  features  of  a  hearer's  heart 
and  morals  are  portrayed.  "You  paint  well."  Thank  you 
for  the  comphment.  "  What  master  did  you  study  under  ?  " 
Ask  your  conscience  ;  but  ere  you  lifted  the  pen,  it  gave  the 
answer. 

"  Your  flourishes  and  figures,  your  flowers  and  hell-fire 
images  of  terror,  and  noisy  uproar,  are  a  strange  and  harm- 
less compound."  Ay,  if  they  are  orAj painted  they  will  bum 
nobody.  Who  was  ever  burned  by  painted  fire  ?  I  have 
seen  the  thing  exquisitely  managed,  so  as  to  deceive  the  eye, 
but  never  the  touch;  but  this  "highly-colored"  fire  has 
scorched  you.  How  is  this  ?  There  must  have  been  some- 
thing more  than  paint.  I  have  looked  upon  lions,  (these 
are  "  images  of  terror,")  sculptured  in  marble,  stamped  on 
paper,  and  carved  in  wood,  well-proportioned,  and  skilfully 
colored ;  but  they  neither  roared  nor  devoured.  So  far  from 
exciting  terror,  I  have  amused  myself  watching  the  Httle 
birds  hopping  into  their  open  mouths,  and  playing  among 
their  teeth.  Have  not  my  "  images  of  terror  "  had  quite  a 
different  effect  upon  you  ?  Why  this  ill  humor  ?  Why  de- 
clare you  will  never  hear  me  again?  Why,  unless  the 
imagery  represented  realities  of  a  terrible  nature,  in  which 
you  believed,  and  for  which  you  felt  yourself  totally  unpre- 
pared ?  "  The  lion  hath  roared,  who  will  not  fear  ?  The 
Lord  hath  spoken,  who  can  but  prophesy  ?  "  Amos  iii.  8. 
A  glow-worm  resembles  fire  ;   but  it  is  light  without  heat. 


THE   OFFENDED   HEARER.  297 

God  asks,  "  Is  not  my  word  like  fire  ?  and  like  a  hammer, 
to  break  the  rock  in  pieces  ?  "  Jer.  xxiii.  29.  And  now, 
respecting  the  "  noisy  uproar "  which  has  thrown  you  into 
this  consternation :  —  the  other  day,  while  walking  on  Wood- 
house  Moor,  during  the  drilling  of  a  regiment,  the  quick  dis- 
charge of  musketry  suggested  "  images  of  terror ;  "  but 
not  quite  so  awful  as  those  you  had  of  hell  and  its  flames  the 
other  night.  These  were  but  the  imagery  of  the  battle-field, 
wet  with  life's  red  current,  covered  with  the  dead  and  the 
dying, — "  hail  of  iron,  and  the  rain  of  blood,"  driven  on  by 
men  nerved  for  deeds  of  death.  Nonsense  !  The  whole  was 
as  harmless  as  a  parcel  of  boys  cracking  whips.  None  were 
wounded,  none  frightened  ;  all  were  highly  delighted.  "  We 
go  through  blank  motions  here,"  said  an  old  soldier  to  me, 
"  for  we  only  use  powder ;  this  will  do  no  execution,  you 
know."  Had  the  guns  been  loaded  with  ball  or  shot,  and 
discharged  among  the  spectators,  how  many  hundreds  would 
have  scampered  from  off  the  common,  as  did  multitudes  from 
Oxford  Place  chapel,  on  Sabbath  night,  after  sermon!  How 
many  would  have  been  left  on  the  gi'ound,  to  weep  over  their 
wounds  !  Lives  there  a  man  in  Leeds,  with  a  heart  so  hard, 
as  to  rail  against  their  cries  for  surgical  aid  ?  What  an  ex- 
citement too  would  have  taken  place  in  the  town !  Remon- 
strances from  all  quarters,  quite  as  violent  as  those  in  your 
letter.  Showing  what?  That  there  was  something  more 
penetrating  than  "noise"  on  the  Woodhouse  Moor. 

There  were  no  "blank  motions"  on  the  night  in  question,  nor 
any  harmless  artillery.  There  was  more  than  flashing,  noisy 
"  powder."  The  sermon  was  charged  with  the  truth  of  God, 
and  levelled,  and  fired  among  thousands.  You  stayed  lono' 
enough  to  see  the  slain  of  the  Lord,  for  they  were  many,  and 
to  hear  their  cries.  "Wliy  did  you  fly,  when  you  yourself 
were  wounded?     We  had  a  Physician  there,  who  healed 


298  THE    OFFENDED    HEARER. 

scores,  nor  would  he  have  rejected  you,  had  you  thrown  away 
your  weapons  and  sought  his  heaUng  power. 

You  have  helped  me  to  a  good  idea.  A  painter  begins  with 
the  head.  The  drapery  is  a  mere  circumstance,  with  which 
any  daub  may  succeed.  The  head  shows  the  master.  Let 
him  hit  the  countenance  well,  or  as  some  have  it,  "  the  ex- 
pression," and  there  is  little  difficulty  with  the  rest.  Some 
sermons  are  like  drapery  in  painting,  they  will  suit  any  body  ; 
often  there  is  neither  head  nor  face,  so  that  all  feel  he  means 
nobody.  Frequently  the  countenances  are  so  numerous, 
that  every  one  may  be  meant,  which,  as  any  effect  upon  a 
congregation  may  be  equivalent  to  nothing ;  and  ex  nihilo 
nihil  jit  ^  "  of  nothing  comes  nothing."  In  a  crowd  there  is 
obscurity,  and  none  get  their  ^'feelings  hurt"  by  a  mortify- 
ing view  of  their  own  likeness.  When  this  occurs  by  design 
to  avoid  giving  oflfence,  there  is  guilt.  When  it  arises  from 
incapacity  for  this  kind  of  distinct  and  sinner-awakening 
preaching,  then  should  the  preacher  inquire,  whether  that 
awful  passage  be  not  applicable  to  his  case.  Jer.  xxiii. 
30  —  32. 

It  requires  a  skilful  mind  to  portray  the  true  features  of 
an  individual  character,  so  as  to  compel  him  to  cry  out, 
''Name  me."  But  I  carry  the  idea  farther  than  the  visible 
appearance  of  his  morals.  The  "  inner  man  "  lies  beyond 
the  art  of  the  limner,  though  within  the  vision  of  the  Chris- 
tian minister.  He  must  delineate  the  lineaments  of  the 
mind,  and  the  aspects  and  moral  coloring  of  the  heart.  If 
he  have  studied  under  the  Great  Master,  he  can  sketch,  by 
a  spiritual  discernment,  "  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the 
heart."  How  far  the  "madman"  has  succeeded  with  your 
picture,  you  yourself  have  determined. 

"  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  hear  you  no  more.  You 
shall  never  have  a  chance  to  insult  me  again."     You  re- 


THE    OFFENDED    HEARER.  299 

mind  me  of  a  gentleman  who  came  into  the  Weslejan 
Methodist  chapel,  in  Quebec,  during  the  sermon.  He  was 
just  walking  down  the  aisle,  seeking  a  seat,  when  I  was  ut- 
tering the  following  sentence,  with  strong  emphasis,  and  with- 
out the  least  reference  to  him,  (in  fact,  I  had  never  seen  the 
man  before,)  "Sinner!  what  brought  you  here,  sinner?" 
He  turned  on  his  heel  in  great  indignation,  saying,  "  I  did 
not  come  here  to  be  insulted  ;  "  and  made  his  exit. 

"  You  may  call  this  preaching,  and  the  fools  who  are  with 
you  ;  I  do  not ;  it  is  mere  burlesque."  Be  it  so,  I  cannot 
help  it.  Allow  me  however,  to  say,  you  do  not  seem  to  re- 
semble the  sinner  described  by  St.  James  i.  23,  24.  The 
gospel  was  the  glass  into  which  he  had  looked.  It  reflected 
his  deformed  features,  and  he  knew  the  likeness  to  be  his  own ; 
but,  upon  withdrawing  from  the  unflattering  mirror,  he  im- 
mediately lost  the  impression,  and  forgot  his  ugliness.  Rath- 
er, you  may  be  compared  to  a  certain  lady  in  high  life,  who 
was  mortified  with  the  conviction  that  she  possessed  a  set  of 
uncomely  features.  Being  asked  on  a  certain  day,  why  she 
never  turned  when  passing  the  mirror,  as  every  body  else  did  ; 
she  gave  to  the  rude  question  the  candid  reply :  "  I  have  too 
much  self-love  to  bear  the  sight  of  my  own  ugliness."  "Why 
not  thus  speak  out  the  sentiments  of  your  heart  at  once,  and 
have  done  with  it  ?  Several  years  ago,  I  conversed  with  an 
old  man,  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  who  had  been  a  fine  look- 
ing person  in  his  day,  but  time  had  dotted  his  face  very  un- 
handsomely. He  told  me  he  could  not  bear  to  look  into  a 
mirror,  and  that  he  had  not  done  so  during  twenty-five  years. 
The  application  to  yourself  is  plain,  although  it  appears  you 
do  not  neglect  the  house  of  God.  Why  despise  the  gospel- 
glass,  or  your  humble  servant  who  held  it  before  you  ? 
Neither  is  to  blame  that  you  have  not  had  a  more  comely 
reflection  of  your  visage.     Is  there  a  deformed  person  in 


300  THE    OFFENDED   HEARER. 

the  nation,  unless  "  out  of  his  head,"  who  would  fall  into  a 
fit  of  anger  with  the  honesty  of  his  mirror  ?  We  generally 
esteem  these  useful  articles  in  proportion  as  they  are  true  to 
nature.     But  I  forgot  the  decision  of  the  poet:  — 

"  You  vent  your  spleen  as  monkeys,  when  they  pass, 
Scratch  at  the  mimic  monkey  in  the  glass, 
While  both  are  one  :  " 

Notwithstanding  your  ill  humor,  I  shall  attempt  to  neutral- 
ize it  by  the  following  striking  illustration :  I  heard  the 
account  stated  as  a  reality  in  a  country  through  which  I  was 
travelling,  and  under  circumstances,  too,  which  would  forbid 
the  relation  of  a  fable  as  a  fact,  although  it  seems  scarcely 
credible.  In  the  depths  of  an  American  forest  there  lived 
a  man  brought  up  in  ignorance,  poverty,  and  hard  labor. 
His  neighbors  were  similarly  circumstanced.  All  were  entire 
strangers  to  the  comforts  of  civilized  life.  He  was  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  and  black  as  the  coal  necessary  to  his 
business,  and  as  rough  too  as  the  neighboring  wolf.  His 
wife  made  a  pilgrimage  on  a  certain  day  to  a  distant  town, 
and  ventured  to  purchase  that  wonderful  thing,  a  looking- 
glass.  She  brought  it  home,  suspended  it  upon  the  wall 
without  informing  her  husband  of  the  curiosity.  Coming  in 
from  the  shop  a  little  after,  he  saw  a  strange  looking  being, 
resembling  the  very  devil  himself,  peering  at  him,  through 
what  he  considered  a  new  hole  in  his  log  house  —  his  own 
likeness  in  the  glass.  Not  a  word  did  he  speak,  but  ran  to 
the  shop,  seized  a  sledge-hammer,  and  glided  softly  back. 
Peeping  cautiously  in  at  the  door,  the  horrible  figure  saluted 
him  on  the  opposite  wall  of  the  room.  It  was  no  time  to 
give  way,  his  house  was  invaded,  and  the  man  who  would 
not  shrink  from  contending  with  a  bear  in  the  forest,  w^as  not 
now  to  stand  aghast  at  the  ugly  creature  before  him,  be  he 
man  or  devil ;  so  he  raised  the  hammer,  it  did  the  same ;  he 


THE   OFFENDED   HEARER.  301 

sprang,  and  it  sprang  ;  and  the  looking-glass  was  shivered  to 
atoms  in  a  moment.  He  saw  his  mistake  too  late  to  save  his 
wife's  feelings  or  the  mirror ;  the  latter  lying  scattered 
around  him  in  fragments. 

Take  another  case.  Three  or  four  weeks  ago,  I  saw  in  a 
London  paper  the  following,  headed,  "An  egregious  fool." 
It  was  a  late  police  report,  and  a  fact ;  the  court  of  justice 
and  London  magistrate  were  mentioned,  with  a  full  account 
of  the  trial.  The  defendant,  an  Irish  laborer,  had  been  sent 
that  morning  to  make  some  necessary  repairs  in  a  certain 
mansion.  The  plaintiff,  a  Mr.  Jennings,  stated  that  while 
watching  the  man,  (as  he  otherwise  could  not  have  believed 
any  man  could  have  been  such  a  fool,)  he  glanced  around, 
and  seeing  in  the  room  in  which  he  was  working,  his  reflec- 
tion in  a  large  lookmg-glass  door,  exclaimed,  "  Arrah !  by 
St.  Patrick,  my  masther  told  me  he  only  sent  one  man,  and 
there's  another ;  and  he's  got  my  hammer  ;  I'll  have  a  shy 
at  him."  And  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  smashed 
the  imaginary  personage  and  the  glass  at  the  same  time. 
The  defendant's  plea  was,  that  he  had  just  been  put  on  the 
job,  as  he  expected,  by  himself;  but  seeing  the  other  fellow 
looking  at  him,  he  struck  against  the  glass ;  and  that  he 
could  assure  his  majesty,  (the  magistrate,)  that  he  thought 
it  was  another  workman,  who  had  "  taken  the  job  over  his 
head,"  and  that  he  was  so  enraged  at  him,  thinking  at  the 
same  time  that  he  had  stolen  his  hammer,  that  he  struck  at 
him,  and  ruined  the  glass.  The  article  was  valued  at  £10  ; 
but,  in  mercy  to  the  poor  fellow,  it  was  only  laid  at  Xo. 
After  having  been  locked  up  a  few  hours,  he  wa5  liberated 
on  the  complainant's  accepting  the  wife's  promise  to  pay  the 
amount,  at  five  sliiUings  per  week. 

You  have  some  sense  left,  and  I  shall  not  insult  it  by 
assisting  you  to  make  the  very  evident  apphcation.  "  As  I 
26 


302  THE    OFFENDED   HEARER. 

said  before,  I  -svill  hear  you  no  more."  To  this  I  reply: 
Some  people  get  into  hell  wounded  in  the  back,  flying  from 
the  truth ;  and  others  go  into  hell  with  a  crash,  fighting 
against  the  truth,  and  carrying  their  wounds  in  front.  Which 
go  the  deepest  into  perdition,  eternity  must  show.  It  seems 
you  intend  to  be  wounded  behind ;  perhaps  you  think  there 
are  scars  sufficient  before.  Remember  you  cannot  escape 
from  yourself,  nor  from  principles  which  have  made  a  lodg- 
ment within  you;  nor  from  a  "judgment"  that  shall  dog 
your  steps  through  life,  and  overtake  you  in  your  last  hours: 

"  While  conscience,  unrelenting,  still  maintains 
Her  right  to  raise  new  fears,  and  cause  new  pains."    . 

Make  no  rash  vows.  Leave  yourself  free.  Many  take 
much  pains  to  attain  a  position,  only  to  prepare  themselves 
for  a  plunge  into  worse  troubles ;  as  an  Italian  would  say, 
Cadar  dalla  padella  nella  brace,  —  equivalent  to  falHng  from 
Scylla  into  Charybdis.  Beware  lest  that  come  upon  you 
predicted  by  an  old  divine :  "  For  if  thou  shuttest  the  win- 
dows of  thine  eyes  from  reading,  and  the  doors  of  thine  ears 
from  hearing,  God  may  clap  such  a  padlock  of  a  judicial 
curse  upon  them  both,  that  t*hou  shalt  never  open  thine  eyes 
or  ears,  till  thou  comest,  as  the  rich  glutton,  to  see  Abraham 
afar  off,  and  Lazarus  in  liis  bosom ;  and  bear  a  part  in  those 
dreadful  screechings  and  bowlings  which  are  in  hell! "  You 
say,  "  I  prefer  my  former  views  and  ease  of  mind ;  it  is 
impossible  for  me  to  see  as  you  see,"  etc.  No !  nor  are 
you  ignorant  of  the  reason !  The  name  of  that  great  philos- 
opher, Galileo,  is  familiar  to  you.  If  he  was  not  the  inventor 
of  the  telescope,  you  are  aware  he  improved  it ;  and  ren- 
dered essential  service  to  the  cause  of  science  when  he 
made  the  instrument  subservient  to  astronomical  observa- 
tions. But  do  you  remember  the  story  of  a  Florentine  phi- 
losopher, who  could  not  be  persuaded  to  look  through  one  of 


THE    OFFENDED   HEARER.  303 

Galileo's  telescopes,  lest  he  should  see  something  in  the 
heavens  that  would  disturb  his  belief  in  Aristotle's  philoso- 
phy ?  The  scriptural  telescope  of  faith  is  a  great  disturber 
of  the  peace  when  put  before  the  vision  of  a  man  living 
in  sin! 

"  I  have  hell  enough  in  this  life/'  I  shall  not  dispute 
with  you  about  that ;  but  should  not  tliis  satisfy  you  ?  "  Pant 
ye  after  the  second  death  ?  "  What  is  hell  upon  earth  ?  Is  it 
any  thing  else  than  a  foretaste  of  the  torments  of  the  damned  ? 
What  is  the  "bottomless  pit"  mentioned  in  Revelation? 
What,  but  the  eternal  sinking  of  the  soul  from  God  ?  Hell, 
then,  most  assuredly  begins  in  this  world ;  and  the  mouth 
of  the  pit  opens  wide  in  time.  Every  unconverted  sinner  is 
within  the  circumference  of  the  pit.  "  A  wicked  man," 
says  one,  "  is  a  candidate  for  nothing  but  hell;"  and,  says 
another,  "  Hell  is  the  centre  of  every  sinner's  gravity." 
These  are  facts  ;  and  there  is  no  standing  still.  The  motions 
of  a  sumer  downward  are  as  steady  as  the  weights  in  a 
clock.  Such  things  go  down  slowly,  but  surely,  by  the 
ordinary  revolutions  of  the  time-piece ;  or  the  cord  may 
break,  and  they  fall  at  once.  Time  is  connected  with  what 
the  Holy  Ghost  calls  the  "  silver  cord  "  — human  life  ;  and 
a  brittle  affair  it  is.  There  is  no  law  in  nature  more  steady 
than  the  progress  of  a  sinner  to  his  horrible  centre  ;  but  the 
cord  may  be  severed  by  an  accident,  or  by  the  friction  of  its 
own  workings ;  or  by  the  stroke  of  God,  Job  xxxvi.  18 ; 
and  thus  you  may  drop  into  an  eternal  hell  at  once.  Many 
sinners,  on  their  death-bed,  have  confessed  themselves  on 
the  brink  of  hell ;  but  you  admit  yourself  already  in  hell. 
And  does  not  this  illustrate  my  sentiment  ?  If  the  sumer 
be  within  the  circumference  of  the  pit,  he  must  be  troubled 
with  its  smoke  ;  and  this  is  hell  upon  earth.  Smoke  is  some- 
times hot^  but  never  so  intense  as  the  flames  from  which  it 


304  THE    OFFENDED   HEARER. 

proceeds ;  but  there  is  just  such  a  difference  between  the 
hell  upon  earth  and  that  in  eternity. 

I  can  only  reply  to  the  other  epithets  you  have  lavished 
upon  me,  the  old  Latin  proverb,  the  translation  of  which 
runs  thus :  "  Growing  mad  against  the  remedy  of  our 
madness  ! " 

These  frequent  appeals  appear  to  have  brought  his  offended 
hearer  to  a  more  reasonable  state  of  mind.  Hence  the 
milder  tone  of  the  next  paragraphs. 

"  The  wrath  of  man  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of 
God."  I  am  glad  you  are  better  pleased  with  me ;  but  I 
have  no  wish  you  should  be  any  less  displeased  with  yourself, 
until  you  become  a  better  man.  "  I  thought  it  so  monstrously 
ridiculous."  But  it  seems  you  were  led  to  suppose  that  the 
ridiculous  monster  was  yourself.  "It  was  so  unnatural  — 
so  out  of  all  character."  And  yet  you  said  in  your  heart, 
'^  He  means  me."  How  could  you  think  so,  unless  there 
were  some  lineaments  in  the  monster  strikingly  like  yourself  ? 
"  It  is  easy,"  said  a  man,  who  understood  the  matter  well, 
"  to  know  a  picture  well  drawn,  if  we  are  acquainted  with 
the  person  whom  it  represents."  This  is  a  very  good  crite- 
rion to  apply  to  the  present  subject.  If  nature  had  been 
wholly  avoided,  or  misrepresented,  you  could  no  more  have 
thought  the  distorted  figure  was  your  own,  than  if  I  had 
been  describing  the  devil  himself.  A  witty  writer  has  some 
where  remarked,  that  he  who  studies  life,  yet  bungles,  may 
draw  some  faint  imitations  of  it ;  but  he  who  purposely 
avoids  nature,  must  fall  into  the  grotesque,  and  make  no 
likeness.  In  this  case,  I  have  you  for  a  witness,  that,  how- 
ever bunglingly  nature  was  imitated,  the  likeness  has  been 
recognized  by  one  of  the  most  competent  of  jvidges. 

I  have  read  a  remark  to  this  effect,  that  the  picture  is 


THE   OFFENDED   HEARER.  305 

well  drawn  which  looks  at  all  who  look  at  it.  It  seems  the 
picture  looked  on  jou,  at  any  rate ;  and  you  were  simple 
enough  to  imagine  that  it  not  only  looked  at  you,  but  looked 
like  you, 

"  You  are  not  so  morose  a  being  as  I  thought  you  were, 
nor  so  stifif.  I  wish  you  success  among  the  Leedites ;  I  shall 
come  to  hear  you  as  often  as  I  can  while  I  remain  in  town." 
I  care  little  for  your  opinion  about  me,  unless  it  lead  to  your 
conversion.  It  is  pleasing,  however,  to  learn  you  have 
altered  your  mind.  II  sabio  muda  conscio,  il  nescio  no,  said 
the  Spaniard :  "  A  wise  man  changes  his  mind,  a  fool  never." 
If  the  truth  be  heard  in  the  love  of  it,  your  heart  may  be 
softened  into  penitence,  which  is  the  forerunner  of  salvation. 
Till  sin  is  hated  and  abandoned,  I  fear  you  will  hear  to  little 
advantage ;  but  as  faith  cometh  by  hearing,  —  come  !  "  Now 
that  you  know  my  views  and  state  of  mind,  I  expect  a  kinder 
method,  and  less  severity."  I  am  afraid  you  will  be  greatly 
disappointed,  unless  a  change  take  place  in  your  morals. 
Even  then,  without  regeneration,  you  will  still  be  disgusted 
^nth  your  own  likeness,  and  dissatisfied  with  the  preacher. 
Allow  me  to  illustrate  what  I  mean.  In  a  work  entitled  The 
last  year  in  China,  we  have  some  excellent  remarks  on 
Chinese  portrait-painters  ;  showing  that  they  have  not  learned 
the  art  of  flattery,  although  they  make  excellent  likenesses. 
The  author  relates  the  following  anecdote,  in  proof:  A  lady 
of  Macao,  was  having  her  portrait  drawn  by  a  Chinese  artist. 
As  the  work  proceeded,  she  expressed  her  strong  dissatisfac- 
tion at  the  performance.  "  'Spose,"  said  the  painter,  "  you 
smile  a  httle,  he  look  better."  But  it  was  in  vain ;  for 
when  the  picture  was  done,  the  indignation  of  the  fair  one 
was  so  great,  and  so  disagreeably  expressed,  that  the  irri- 
tated artist  exclaimed,  "  If  handsome  face  no  got,  how  hand- 
some face  can  make?"  The  writer  remarked,  that  he 
26* 


306  THE   OFFENDED   HEARER. 

thought  an  English  artist  could  have  shown  the  honest  Chi- 
nese out  of  his  difficulty  —  that  a  golden  application  would 
have  removed  his  scruples.  Perhaps  not.  Respect  for  his 
profession,  or  homage  to  the  stern  demands  oi  principle , 
might  have  rendered  his  mind  as  obstinate  toward  Mammon, 
as  to  the  displeasure  of  the  good  ladj. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  see  you  again  in  the  house  of  God. 
Remember,  however,  that  painters  only  make  a  rude  draught 
of  the  face  at  first ;  succeeding  touches  bring  out  the  fea- 
tures more  perfectly.  If  the  minister  be  "  a  workman  that 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,"  like  a  clever  artist,  he  will  not 
throw  down  his  spiritual  pencil  till  the  picture  is  in  such  a 
state  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  mistake  the  person  repre- 
sented. Nor  will  he  stop  here ;  what  no  painter  would  do 
with  a  finished  picture,  he  will  —  hew  it  in  pieces,  as  Samuel 
did  Agag  before  the  Lord.  Take  heed  ;  some  of  the  slashes 
of  "the  sword  of  the  Spirit"  may  reach  beyond  your  por- 
trait, "  piercing,  even  to  the  dividing  asunder  of  soul  and 
spirit ;  and  of  the  joints  and  marrow."  Heb.  iv.  12.  The 
following  verse  has  long  been  my  motto  : 

"  Brandish  in  full  faith,  till  then, 
The  Spirit's  two-edged  sword. 
Hew  all  the  snares  of  fiends  and  men 
In  pieces  with  the  word; 
"Tis  written,'  thus  applied, 
Baffles  all  strength  and  art ; 
Spirit  and  soul,  with  this  divide, 
And  joints  and  marrow  part." 

Another  letter  commences  with  the  next  paragraph,  and 
indicates  that  the  offended  hearer  was  yielding  still  more  to 
the  faithful  application  of  truth. 

You  are  certainly  an  awakened  sinner,  whatever  you  may 
say  to  the  contrary.  In  this  state  of  mind,  "  the  smallest 
things  can  give  your  sins  a  twitch.^^    Had  you  lived  in  the 


THE   OFFENDED    HEARER.  307 

days  of  Aaron  the  high  priest,  and  -with  such  a  conscience 
as  you  have  now,  it  would  have  interpreted  the  tinkUng  of 
the  bells  on  the  borders  of  his  garment,  into  an  "  unmannerly 
personality." 

You  say,    "  This could  never  have  happened  by 

chance;  somebody  has  put  you  up  to  it."  But  have  you 
never  read  of  one  Appcllcs,  who  failed,  as  often  as  he  tried, 
to  paint  the  foaming  of  a  horse  ?  At  last,  in  a  rage,  he 
flung  his  brush  at  the  painting,  and  ''chance*^  expressed 
that  which  art  could  not.  In  your  case,  I  deny  that  any 
person  has  given  me  the  information  in  question,  as  firmly 
as  I  reject  the  power  of  "  chance."  The  eye  of  a  heavenly 
witness  rests  upon  you  and  your  sins.  God,  who  has  called 
me  to  preach  his  gospel,  suggested  to  me  suitable  matter  by 
his  Holy  Spirit.  I  lay  claim,  however,  to  no  higher  inspira- 
tion than  what  any  minister  of  Christ  may  have,  who  walks 
closely  with  God,  and  who  has  one  desire  and  one  aim. 

*'  And  if  I  turn  to  God,  will  that  mend  the  affair  ?  You 
said,  '  Sinner,  God  will  cut  you  down.' "  I  did  say  so,  but 
added  immediately,  "  Your  speedy  repentance  will  be  a 
lengthening  of  your  tranquilHty."  Did  not  Jonah,  at  last, 
obey  the  Lord,  in  dehvering  the  warning  to  the  people  of 
Nineveh  ?  But  one  day's  journey  on  the  walls  was  sufficient. 
As  he  walked,  crying,  "  Y^et  forty  days,  and  Nineveh  shall 
be  overthrown ; "  they  heard  the  voice,  as  if  it  had  come 
from  heaven,  and  turned  every  one  of  them  from  their  iniqui- 
ties. Forty  days  passed  away,  and  the  city  continued  in  its 
grandeur.  There  was  a  condition  in  the  sentence.  Their 
imfeigned  repentance  rendered  the  prediction  void.  "  0  new, 
and  admirable  thing!"  says  a  good  man;  "the  denunciation 
of  death  brought  forth  life  ;  the  prophesy  of  the  overthrow 
overthrew  the  prophecy ;  the  sentence  of  destruction  made 
a  nullity  m  the  sentence." 


308  THE    OFFENDED   HEARER. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  referring  to  one  or  two  of  your 
closing  sentiments.  It  is  wrong  in  you  to  suppose,  that  what 
you  feel,  is  a  sample  of  a  religious  life  ;  and  yet  many  mis- 
take here.  A  very  excellent  man  told  me,  in  Dublin,  that, 
when  an  awakened  sinner,  he  was  greatly  buffeted  by  the 
devil  on  this  point.  It  was  represented  to  his  mind,  "  This 
is  religion ;  and  are  you  prepared  to  exchange  a  Hfe  of 
gayety  and  pleasure  for  these  moping,  miserable  feelings  ? 
This  is  a  religious  life,"  He  met  the  temptation  thus  :  "I 
am  conscious  of  real  misery,  and  if  I  set  out  for  heaven,  I 
may  have  seventy  years  of  it ;  but  then,  after  death,  I  shall 
be  eternally  happy.  On  the  other  hand,  if  I  neglect  religion, 
I  may  possibly  enjoy  seventy  years'  happiness ;  but  this 
must  be  succeeded  by  an  eternity  of  torment.  Which,  then, 
will  be  the  most  profitable  to  me,  in  the  long  run  ?  Un- 
questionably, seventy  years'  wretchedness,  followed  by  an 
eternity  of  pleasure  and  delight."  From  that  moment,  he 
bade  farewell  to  sin  and  the  devil  forever,  without  a  single 
idea  of  the  comforts  of  experimental  religion ;  as  if  Chris- 
tianity were  designed  to  strip  him  of  every  source  of  gratifi- 
cation, and  render  his  desolate  soul  void  of  any  enjoyment, 
other  than  the  anticipations  of  the  rewards  of  heaven. 
But  a  happier  man  than  this  same  individual  I  have  not  met 
throughout  my  travels. 

The  saying  of  Origen  is  worthy  of  notice  :  "  It  is  the 
manner  of  Scripture  to  begin  with  those  things  which  are 
sad  and  dreadful,  and  to  end  with  those  things  which  are 
cheerful  and  comfortable.  '  I  will  kill  and  make  alive  ;  not, 
'  I  will  make  alive  and  kill.'  "  I  am  much  mistaken,  if  you 
are  not  now  drinking  the  "  wormwood  and  the  gall ; "  but 
there  is  a  great  difference  between  that  and  the  "  cup  of 
salvation."  The  paths  of  repentance  are  sad  and  thorny ; 
but  the  ways  of  religion  *'  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all 


THE    OFFENDED   HEARER.  309 

hor  paths  are  peace."  I  cannot  agree  with  you,  that  an  es- 
cape from  sin,  and  from  pursuing  temptation,  is  impossible. 
Think  of  your  soul,  its  value,  its  cost.  Think  of  the  agonies 
and  blood  of  Jesus  Christ ;  aye,  and  the  horrors  of  hell. 
Cast  these  reflections  between  you  and  your  sins. 

I  was  reading  the  other  day  of  an  ancient  general,  who 
showed  great  skill  in  conducting  the  retreat  of  his  army. 
The  enemy  pressed  him  sore ;  and,  at  a  time  when  all  was  in 
jeopardy,  he  marched  rapidly  through  a  narrow  pass,  between 
mountains,  and  then  filhng  it  with  the  branches  of  trees,  set 
fire  to  them.  The  flames  ascended  like  a  wall  of  fire  be- 
tween him  and  his  foes,  and  thus  he  secured  his  retreat. 
Throw  hell-fire  between  you  and  your  sins  :  "  Escape  for  thy 
life,"  sinner  ;  "  tarry  not  in  all  the  plain." 

"  Pursue,  on  knowledge  bent,  the  pathless  road, 
And  pierce,  through  infinite,  in  quest  of  God." 

Remember,  every  other  avenue  to  God  is  closed,  but  one, 
"  The  new  and  living  way,"  opened  by  the  death  of  Jesus 
Christ.  There  is  no  access  but  by  this  way.  The  law  of  God, 
"  Hke  a  two-edged  sword,"  turning  every  way,  will  smite 
you  into  hell,  if  you  dare  to  force  an  approach.  "  Come 
unto  God  by  him,"  and  "  enter  into  the  hoHest  by  the  blood 
of  Jesus;"  receiving,  upon  your  entrance,  "remission  of 
sins,  through  faith  in  his  blood." 

Attend  to  it  in  time  ;  perhaps  when  you  would,  it  may  be 
too  late.  Only  a  few  days  ago  I  was  reading  of  a  man  who 
had  long  neglected  the  house  of  God,  his  worship  and  his 
word.  Sitting  by  his  own  fire,  one  Sabbath,  with  his  family, 
he  said,  "  I  shall  read  a  chapter  in  the  Bible,  as  I  have  not 
done  so  for  a  long  time."  It  was  too  late ;  while  in  the  act 
of  reaching  for  the  Bible,  he  sunk  down,  and  immediately 
expired.     \\Tien  in  the  south  of  Ireland,  about  nine  months 


310  THE    OFFENDED    HEARER. 

ago,  a  zealous  servant  of  God  related  to  me  the  following 
affecting  circumstance :  — 

He  had  been  on  a  visit  to  a  certain  town,  for  benevolent 
purposes,  and  intended  to  hold  a  meeting  on  the  Sabbath  for 
the  conversion  of  sinners.  On  the  Saturday  previous,  Prov- 
idence cast  in  his  way  an  ungodly  sinner.  He  talked  with 
him  respecting  his  soul,  but  the  man  treated  every  thing 
with  great  levity.  When  my  friend  was  about  to  take  leave, 
he  said,  with  much  mirth,  "I  am  likely  to  live  as  long 
as  you.  I  could  match  you  in  a  walk  of  ten  miles  any 
day."  "  Well,"  rephed  the  other,  on  a  sudden  impression, 
but  without  the  least  degree  of  resentment,  "  this  is  your 
day  of  mercy,  to-morrow  may  be  God's  day  of  judgment." 
He  then  asked  him,  whether  he  would  come  to  the  chapel 
next  day,  and  hear  such  truth  as  might  be  made  a  blessing 
to  him  ?  In  a  somewhat  merry  mood,  he  replied,  "  I  shall 
come."  Accordingly,  on  the  Sabbath,  he  followed  the  man 
of  God  to  the  meeting,  and  when  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
place,  he  dropped  down,  and  was  dead  in  a  few  moments. 
That  night,  in  the  same  room  where  his  corpse  lay,  my  friend 
held  a  meeting  for  the  benefit  of  the  hving.  How  often  is 
the  sentiment  of  a  German  poet  verified  !  — 

With  noiseless  tread,  death  steals  on  man, 

No  plea,  no  prayer,  delivers  him  ; 

From  the  midst  of  busy  life's  unfinished  plan, 

With  sudden  hand  it  severs  him. 

Ready,  or  not  ready — no  delay. 

Forth  to  his  Judge's  bar,  he  must  away." 

Adieu. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

In  the  seventeenth  chapter,  we  left  Mr.  Caughey  at  the 
close  of  his  first  round  of  visits  to  the  various  chapels  in 
Leeds.  Having  taken  a  glance  at  him  in  his  deahngs  with 
the  offended  hearer,  we  now  follow  him  once  more  into  the 
scenes  of  his  more  active  labors.  It  appears  that,  after 
going  round  the  Leeds  circuit  and  spending  about  two  weeks 
in  each  chapel,  he  returned,  first  to  the  Oxford  street  chapel, 
and  then  to  St.  Peter's,  preaching  several  weeks  in  each, 
"v\ith  "  signs  following." 

Before  describing  these  latter  labors,  he  favors  us  with 
some  account  of  his  rambles  around  Leeds.  His  visit  to 
Cross  Hall,  and  to  the  tomb  of  the  heroic  John  Nelson,  will 
afford  the  pious  reader  gi-eat  pleasure  ;  since  every  remin- 
iscence of  the  holy  dead  is  a  pearl  of  piice  to  a  spiritual 
mind.  The  letters  which  compose  this  chapter  were  ad- 
dressed to  an  American  friend. 

A  few  weeks  since,  in  company  with  the  family  of  ThomanS 
Shann,  Esq.,  I  rode  out  to  Cross  Hall,  a  few  miles  from 
Leeds,  formerly  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Fletcher.  Five  years 
ago,  when  we  derived  so  much  benefit  to  our  souls  from  a 
perusal  of  her  Memoirs,  we  httle  thought  that  I  should  ever 

311 


312  RAMBLES   APvOUXD    LEEDS. 

pay  a  visit  to  the  very  spot  where  these  events  transpired, 
which  then  aiforded  us  so  much  interest  and  pleasure. 

The  house  is  a  square,  substantial,  two-story  building,  of 
cream-colored  stones,  situated  a  short  distance  from  the  road, 
shaded  with  trees,  and  a  fine  garden  behind.  Mrs.  F.  built 
this  immediately  after  she  came  to  Yorkshire.  The  old  hall 
is  attached  to  it ;  a  low,  venerable  edifice,  over  the  door  of 
which  we  read,  1712.  The  family  who  now  occupy  the 
mansion,  on  learning  who  we  were,  and  our  errand,  kindly 
gave  us  permission  to  walk  through  the  house.  I  can  scarcely 
express  to  you  the  emotion  which  filled  my  heart  when  pass- 
ing from  room  to  room,  each  one  hallowed  by  the  presence 
of  this  holy  woman  of  God.  Ah !  I  thought,  here,  during 
fourteen  years,  she  spent  many  happy  as  well  as  many  sor- 
rowful hours.  Here  the  deepest  night  brooded  over  all  her 
temporal  prospects.  In  this  place  she  trusted  in  God,  and 
was  delivered  ;  for  here  it  was  that  day  dawned  upon  her 
dark,  dark  night.  Through  these  rooms,  or  along  those  gar- 
den walks,  did  she  often  meditate  upon  and  conflict  with  an 
impression,  which  bears  the  tinge  of  romance,  but  which  was 
evidently  of  God. 

'•  Hide  it  my  heart,  within  that  close  disguise, 
Where  mixed  with  God's,  his  loved  idea  lies." 

This  is  the  spot  where  she  endeavored  to  break  or  strengthen 
that  mysterious  link  which  strangely  bound  her  spirit  to  that 
eminent  servant  of  Christ,  the  seraphic  Fletcher.  Resolving 
to  await  the  dawning  of  that  day  in  her  earthly  history,  which 
for  many  years  she  had  foreseen,  as  by  prophetic  vision  ; 
here  she  often  mournfully  exclaimed,  in  faith's  darkest  hour, 

"  Darkly  safe  with  God,  my  soul 
His  arm  still  onward  bears. 
Till  through  each  tempest  on  the  whole, 
A  peace  divine  appears." 


RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS.  313 

Or,  in  the  more  triumphant  language  of  another  poet :  — 

"  The  Lord  my  pasture  shall  prepare, 
And  feed  me  with  a  shepherd's  care  ; 
His  presence  shall  my  wants  supply, 
And  guard  me  with  a  watchful  eye  ; 
My  noonday  walks  he  shall  attend, 
And  all  my  midnight  hours  defend." 

That  promise  also  was  her  stay,  which  she  received  from 
God  at  Laytonstone :  "  Thou  shalt  lay  up  gold  as  dust,  and  the 
gold  of  Ophir  as  the  stones  of  the  brooks  ;  yea,  the  Almighty 
shall  be  thy  defence,  and  thou  shalt  have  plenty  of  silver,'* 
Job  xxii.  24,  25  ;  and  commented  upon  them  thus :  "  What 
I  understand  by  these  words  is,  that  a  time  shall  come  when 
I  shall  owe  no  man  any  thing,  and  have  plenty  to  carry  on 
such  designs  as  the  Lord  shall  lay  on  my  heart,  for  his 
glory ;  that  he  will  bring  me  out  of  this  place,  and  provide 
some  way  for  every  member  to  be  removed,  so  that  I  shall 
say,  '  Now  is  fulfilled  that  word,'  '  Thou  shalt  decree  a 
thing,  and  it  shall  be  estabhshed  unto  thee,  and  hght  shall 
shine  on  thy  path.'  " 

Here  her  faith  seemed  to  receive  a  death  blow  in  the  sad 
intelligence,  that  the  object  of  her  hope  was  dying  at  Made- 
ley  ;  and  again,  that  he  was  about  to  leave  England,  perhaps 
for  ever,  the  blood  drauiing  from  his  lungs  day  by  day ; 
still  faith  flourished  again,  and  failed  not,  but  prompted  her 
to  ask  and  believe  for  the  following  signs,  which  were  fulfilled 
to  the  letter,  four  years  afterwards  :  First,  That  Mr.  Fletcher 
might  be  raised  up  again.  Second,  And  brought  back  to 
England.  Third,  That  he  would  ^Tite  to  her  upon  the  sub- 
ject, though  they  had  been  so  many  years  asunder,  and  not 
so  much  as  a  message  passing  between  them  upon  any  sub- 
ject. Fourth,  That  in  that  letter,  he  would  state  the  matter, 
as  having  rested  upon  his  mind  for  several  years.  This 
2T 


814  RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

prayer  of  faith  was  instantly  attended  with  the  assurance 
that  all  this  would  occur  in  the  year  1781. 

With  the  singular  coincidences  you  are  familiar.  On  the 
8th  of  June,  1781,  as  she  expresses  it,  "  the  cloud  arose, 
little  as  a  human  hand,"  in  the  form  of  a  letter,  from  the 
object  of  her  affections,  which  was  soon  after  followed  by  Mr. 
Fletcher  himself.  Here  they  talked  over  all  the  providences 
through  which  they  had  been  led  ;  tried  to  penetrate  the 
gloom  which  still  hung  over  her  temporal  affairs ;  but  that 
God,  who  had  so  strangely  brought  them  together,  com- 
manded the  darkness  into  Hght,  and  in  the  neighboring 
church  of  Batley,  "We  covenanted,"  says  Mrs.  F.,  "in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  to  bear  each  other's  burdens,  and  to  become  one 
for  ever." 

With  the  history  of  her  orphan  establishment,  her  zeal  for 
God,  and  activity  in  his  cause,  her  holy  life  and  godly  con- 
versation, her  Memoirs  have  made  you  already  familiar  ; 
and  I  doubt  not,  that  on  my  return  to  America,  we  shall 
read  them  over  again,  with  renewed  pleasure,  and  I  shall 
then  tell  you  more  than  I  can  crowd  into  a  letter.  After 
visiting  the  apartment  she  had  fitted  up  as  a  chapel  for  her 
orphans,  we  returned  to  Leeds. 

In  company  with  a  friend,  I  rode  over  to  Batley  church 
the  other  day,  and  stood  before  the  same  altar  where  they 
were  married.  The  vicar  was  very  kind,  conducting  us 
through  various  parts  of  the  old  sanctuary,  in  which  were 
some  very  ancient  monuments,  and  afterwards  into  the  ves- 
try. After  a  tedious  search,  he  found  the  entry  of  their 
marriage,  in  one  of  the  church  records,  signed  first  by  the 
curate,  and  then  by  the  parties,  thus :  "  John  William 
Fletcher,  or  De  la  Fletchere,"  and  underneath,  in  her  own 
peculiar  hand,  "Mary  Bosanquet;"  the  witnesses  were  a 


RAMBLES   AROUND   LEEDS.  315 

"  Miss  Tripp,"  and  some  other  persons  whose  names  I  did 
not  copy. 

A  few  days  ago,  with  a  small  party,  I  visited  the  vUlage 
of  Birstal,  about  seven  miles  from  Leeds.  Our  principal 
object  was  to  see  the  tomb  of  the  famous  John  Nelson,  Mr. 
Wesley's  faithful  coadjutor.  The  spot  where  his  earthly  re- 
mains have  rested  nearly  seventy  years,  is  a  little  south  of 
the  old  parish  church.  The  tomb  is  a  neat  freestone  square, 
covered  with  a  slab  of  the  same  material,  and  bears  the  fol- 
lowing inscription  :  — 

JOHN  NELSON, 

Departed  this  life,  July  18th,  1774, 

Aged  67  years. 

MARTHA,  HIS  WIFE, 

Departed  this  life,  September  11th,  1774, 

Aged  69. 

While  we  on  earth  had  our  abode, 
We  both  agreed  to  serve  the  Lord, 
And  he  was  pleased  as  you  may  see, 
By  death  not  long  us  parted  be  ; 
Then  he  required  the  breath  he  gave, 
And  now  we  both  rest  in  one  grave. 
Until  again  he  us  restore, 
A  life  to  live  and  die  no  more. 

An  old  building  was  pointed  out  to  us,  a  few  yards  from 
the  tomb,  as  the  remains  of  the  vicarage,  where  John's  per- 
secutor lived. 

Near  the  Wesleyan  chapel  we  were  shown  into  a  very 
small  brick  building,  where  John  used  to  read  and  pray ; 
and  over  the  little  fireplace  is  engraved  upon  a  stone,  "  John 
Nelson's  stud^^"  Here  he  prepared  some  of  those  heavy 
thoughts,  wliich  came  down  with  the  execution  of  his  stone- 
hammer,  upon  the  rocky  hearts  of  liis  hearers. 


316  RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

Yesterday,  accompanied  by  part  of  the  kind  family  of 
John  Howard,  Esq.,  at  whose  house  I  am  at  present  enter- 
tained, I  rode  to  Micklefield,  eight  miles  from  Leeds,  formerly 
the  residence  of  the  famous  Sammy  Hick,  the  village  black- 
smith. 

His  Memoir  is  now  published  by  our  Book  Concern  in 
New  York,  and  doubtless  it  has  had  a  wide  circulation  in 
America. 

We  put  up  at  the  village  inn,  and  Sammy's  daughter  was 
pointed  out  to  us,  standing  at  the  door  of  her  own  house, 
looking  towards  us  with  great  earnestness.  On  approaching, 
she  gave  us  a  cheerful  welcome,  as  if  aware  of  the  purport 
of  our  visit  to  Micklefield.  "  Walk  in,"  said  she;  "  this  is 
the  house  my  father  and  mother  occupied  during  fifty  years, 
and  there  is  the  flagstone  upon  which  my  father  was  kneeling 
when  he  was  converted  to  God,  and  where  he  was  aftewards 
sanctified  ;  and  it  was,  while  sitting  on  a  chair  with  his  feet 
on  that  flag,  he  died  and  went  home  to  glory.  And  on  that 
other  flagstone,  my  mother  (Martha)  died.  There  is  the  old 
shelf  just  as  they  had  it,  and  that  is  the  same  old  clock." 

We  felt  ourselves  quite  at  home,  and  entered  into  an 
agreeable  conversation  respecting  the  "  departed."  Her 
good  husband  came  in,  and  a  few  neighbors,  and  we  sang, — 

"  He  breaks  the  power  of  cancelled  sin, 
He  sets  the  prisoner  free  ; 
His  blood  can  make  the  foulest  clean,  ^ 

His  blood  availed  for  me." 

Kneeling  down  upon  the  famous  flagstone,  I  prayed  that  the 
blessing  of  God  might  descend  upon  the  descendants  of 
Sammy  Hick,  and  upon  these  his  old  neighbors  and  as- 
sociates. 

We  then  visited  the  blacksmith's  shop,  the  scene  of  Sam- 
my's labor  at  the  anvil,  and  where  he  spent  many  a  happy 


RAMBLES   AROUND   LEEDS.  317 

day.     The  identical  bellows,  used  by  Sammy,  are  yet  there, 
and  in  active  employment ;  and  the  old  anvil  block,  etc. 

Mr.  Caughey  now  resumes  his  account  of  the  progress  of 
the  revival.  He  had  begun  a  second  series  of  meetings  in 
Oxford  Place  chapel,  and  concerning  which  he  says  : 

The  congregations  were  greatly  increased,  w^hen  compared 
with  my  first  visit.  This  is  the  largest  chapel  I  have  ever 
preached  in ;  indeed,  I  have  been  informed,  it  is  the  largest 
Methodist  chapel  in  the  world.  It  seats  two  thousand 
five  hundred  persons  ;  but  from  the  spaciousness  of  the  aisles, 
etc.,  when  crowded,  admits  one  thousand  more  ;  and  on  Sab- 
bath nights  it  was  always  full,  and  many  had  to  go  away  who 
could  not  get  in.  Such  a  mass  of  people  was  a  most  sublime 
and  imposing  scene.  The  Lord  graciously  assisted  my  voice, 
so  that  I  was  distinctly  heard  in  all  parts  of  the  congregation. 
What  a  contrast  when  compared  with  years  gone  by  !  Eight 
or  nine  years  ago,  my  voice  was  so  feeble,  it  was  often  with 
the  greatest  difficulty  I  could  make  three  or  four  hundred 
persons  hear ;  now^  God  has  so  enlarged  its  compass,  as  to 
reach  the  ears  of  three  or  four  thousands.  Perhaps  this 
may  tend  to  illustrate  that  important  sentiment,  that  the 
Lord  Jesus  never  calls  a  person  to  any  great  effort,  or  ex- 
traordinary duty,  without  the  gracious  intention  of  impart- 
ing a  corresponding  supply  of  strength  for  its  accomplish- 
ment. 

I  know  not  which  to  admire  most,  this  or  the  society  at 
Brunswick.  They  are  truly  a  loving,  gracious  people.  In 
the  families  of  Mr.  Holt,  Mr.  Dove,  Mr.  Howard,  and  Al- 
derman Musgrave,  every  thing  was  done  to  render  my  visit  to 
their  circuit  most  agreeable  and  delightful.  Their  hospitality, 
and  many  acts  of  kindness,  have  left  an  indelible  impression 
upon  my  heart.  Did  I  not  tell  you,  before  I  left  America, 
27* 


318  RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

that  the  Lord  would  give  me  fathers  and  mothers,  and  broth- 
ers and  sisters  ?  Nothing  of  all  that  God  promised  me  has 
yet  failed.  With  their  ministers,  the  Rev.  WilUam  Lord,  the 
Rev.  George  B.  Macdonald,  and  the  Rev.  Alfred  Barrett,  I 
have  formed  a  friendship  that  will  last  for  ever. 

The  results  of  the  four  weeks  in  the  above  place  of  wor- 
ship, were  very  gratifying.  Three  hundred  persons  were 
enabled  to  declare  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  had  cleansed  them 
from  all  sin ;  and  an  equal  number  professed  justification. 
A  considerable  portion  of  the  latter  were  members  of  the 
Wesleyan  church,  and  several  from  other  churches  and  cir- 
cuits ;  so  that  the  increase  to  the  church  at  Oxford  place, 
cannot  be  more  than  about  one  hundred  persons.  On  the 
last  Sabbath  in  July,  I  returned  to  St.  Peter's  chapel,  which 
is  almost  equal  in  size  to  Oxford  place,  and  continued  there 
two  weeks.  During  that  time,  two  hundred  persons  ob- 
tained the  blessing  of  sanctification,  ninety-five  of  whom 
were  from  country  circuits.  One  hundred  and  ninety  indi- 
viduals professed  justification  ;  fifty  of  this  number  rwere  al- 
ready members  in  the  St.  Peter's  circuit,  and  the  remainder 
were  from  other  churches  and  the  world.  Those  who  were 
converted  from  the  world,  and  resided  in  the  neighboring 
circuits,  had  notes  given  them,  as  an  introduction  to  the  lead- 
ers of  classes  in  the  Wesleyan  society ;  that  they  might 
have  the  benefit  of  weekly  instruction,  and  become  candi- 
dates for  church  membership.  I  have  not  been  able  to  as- 
certain the  increase,  during  the  two  weeks,  to  the  church  in 
St.  Peter's  ;  but  I  doubt  whether  it  amounts  to  more  than 
fifty. 

With  the  Superintendent  of  the  St.  Peter's  circuit,  and 
his  worthy  colleagues,  the  Rev.  Charles  Cheetham  and  the 
Rev.  William  Cattle,  I  labored  in  great  harmony.  They  are 
self-denying  and  zealous  servants  of  God,  well  acquainted 


RAMBLES  AROUND   LEEDS.  319 

with  revivals  of  religion  ;  and  they  have  entered  most  heart- 
ily into  the  present  movement. 

In  the  above  chapel,  they  have  more  than  their  share  of 
the  poor ;  but  they  are  rich  in  faith  :  many  of  them  have 
been  acquainted,  for  a  long  time,"vyith  the  deep  things  of  God. 
They  were  more  noisy  during  the  services  here  than  in  any 
other  circuit  in  town  ;  but  Mr.  Harris  had  them  generally  un- 
der perfect  control.  There  were  seasons,  however,  when  his 
voice  of  authority  was  lost  amidst  their  hallelujahs.  It  glad- 
dened my  heart  to  see  men  and  women,  clothed  in  the  coarsest 
garb,  feasting  upon  the  richest  blessings  of  the  gospel  of 
peace,  and  rejoicing  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

Were  I  a  resident  of  Leeds,  and  desired  a  close  walk  with 
Christ,  and  lessons  on  the  deep  things  of  God,  though  worth 
thousands,  I  would  choose  for  my  place  of  worship,  the  St. 
Peter's  Wesleyan  chapel.  I  would  sit  at  the  feet  of  these 
poor  saints,  and  learn  from  them  how  to  watch  and  pray, 
live  by  faith,  despise  the  world,  conquer  hell,  and  take  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  by  violence.         #         *         *         * 

Mj  work  is  now  nearly  finished  in  Leeds,  and  indeed  in 
England,  for  the  present ;  as  I  sail  from  Hull,  on  the  13th 
Sept.,  1843,  by  the  will  of  God,  for  Rotterdam,  Holland. 
Since  my  last  to  you,  I  have  preached  a  few  times  in  Wesley 
chapel,  and  in  the  Wesleyan  chapel,  village  of  Woodhouse, 
near  Leeds.  In  both  places  the  power  of  God  was  revealed 
in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

On  Sabbath  evening,  3d  inst.,  I  preached  out  of  doors,  to 
an  immense  multitude,  on  the  verge  of  Woodhouse  Moor. 
Text:  Rev.  xx.  11 — 13.  Some  triflers  made  an  effort  for 
a  little  sport,  but  a  few  appeals  spoiled  the  movement,  and 
the  parties  listened  with  attention  to  the  end. 

On  the  following  week  I  preached  farewell  sermons  in  St. 
Peter's,  Brunswick,  and  Oxford  place  chapels,  with  much 


320  RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

comfort  to  mj  own  mind,  and,  I  trust,  profit  to  others.  We 
have  taken  some  pains  to  obtain  statistics  of  the  revival,  with 
regard  to  conversions,  and  as  correct  as  possible.  We  find  that 
upwards  of  sixteen  hundred  persons  have  professed  justifica- 
tion. This  embraces  the  work  carried  forward  in  the  chapels 
of  the  Leeds  four  circuits.  In  my  letters  to  you  and  *  *  *,  I 
have  classed  the  new  converts,  so  that  you  could  see  what  pro- 
portion were  Wesleyan,  and  from  other  churches  and  circuits 
in  the  country,  and  from  the  world. 

After  deducting  those  converted  from  other  churches  in 
town,  and  those  from  the  country  circuits,  many  of  whom 
were  Wesleyans,  and  a  goodly  number  from  the  world,  it  has 
been  ascertained,  that  one  thousand  of  the  converts  belong 
to  Leeds.  About  six  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  latter  were 
members  of  the  Wesleyan  church  in  Leeds.  These  may  be 
divided  into  three  classes.  Those  who  had  backslidden  from 
God  ;  those  who  had  never  been  converted,  by  far  the  great- 
est number ;  and  a  few  who  had  been  living,  to  say  the  least, 
in  a  low  state  of  grace,  but,  under  the  searching  truth  of 
God,  had  been  involved  in  distressing  doubts,  and  cast  away 
the  little  confidence  they  had,  but  had  sought  a  clearer  man- 
ifestation of  the  favor  of  God,  and  found  it.  Such  w^ere 
questioned  closely  respecting  past  experience,  and  they  gen- 
erally said,  "  I  have  had  secret  misgivings  for  years,  about 
my  conversion  ;  there  has  been  a  standing  doubt,  which  has 
ever  annoyed  me  since  I  began  to  meet  in  class ;  so  that  I 
have  done  little  good,  and  received  Uttle,  other  than  re- 
straint from  going  back  into  the  world.  My  uneasiness  has  in- 
creased imder  this  pointed  preaching,  and  also  in  beholding 
this  wonderful  work  of  God.  I  felt,  if  I  could  not  bear  the 
test  of  this,  how  could  I  expect  to  bear  the  trials  of  my 
deathbed,  or  the  light  of  eternity.  I  have  made  much 
resistance  against  coming  forward  to  be  prayed  for,  have  and 


RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS.  321 

held  out  for  several  weeks.  At  last  I  took  up  mj  cross, 
came  forward  among  the  penitents,  as  a  sinner,  and  God,  for 
Christ's  sake,  has  pardoned  all  my  sins."  "  Do  you  then 
consider  this  hour  as  the  time  of  your  conversion ?  "  "I 
prefer  to  do  so.  Sir,  and  shall  consider  this  as  my  starting 
point  for  heaven." 

You  will  therefore  perceive,  that  the  increase  to  the  four 
circuits  is  not  more  than  three  hundred  and  fifty  souls. 
This  is  a  much  greater  disproportion  than  any  thing  of  the 
kind  I  have  observed  since  my  arrival  on  this  side  the 
Atlantic.  Indeed,  such  classifications  as  I  have  sent  you 
from  Liverpool  and  Leeds,  in  regard  to  the  subjects  of  justi- 
fication, have  been  new  to  me ;  as  I  do  not  remember  any 
necessity  for  such  distinctions  in  any  of  the  revivals  in  which 
I  have  been  engaged  in  the  United  States.  You  are  aware 
how  seldom  it  is,  that  persons  continue  to  meet  in  class  for  a 
length  of  time  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  who  have 
never  been  "  born  again."  They  are  generally  pushed  to 
such  extremities,  under  the  preaching  or  in  class,  as  to  com- 
pel them  either  to  retire  into  the  ranks  of  the  world  or  get 
converted  to  God.  The  frequency  of  revivals  in  each  soci- 
ety of  our  church,  also  greatly  contributes  to  lessen  the 
number  of  such  unhappy  persons.  Were  I  to  take  the  sta- 
tistics of  the  revivals  in  Dublin,  Limerick,  Cork,  Liverpool, 
and  Leeds,  as  criteria  of  the  state  of  Methodism  in  this 
country,  I  should  certainly  conclude,  that  a  vast  number 
meet  regularly  in  class  for  years,  and  in  good  standing  too 
as  it  respects  moral  character,  who  have  never  obtained  a 
satisfactory  evidence  of  their  adoption  into  the  family  of  God. 

I  am  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  religious  state  of 
the  Wesleyan  body  in  this  country,  to  say,  whether  it  is  thus 
with  the  societies  generally,  or  that  similar  developments 
would  be  exhibited  in  case  of  a  revival  in  other  towns  of  the 


322  KAMBLES   AROUND   LEEDS. 

kingdom.  Mj  mind  has  been  greatly  exercised  about  it ; 
but  in  my  communications  to  America  I  have  refrained  from 
speculations,  and  entertained  my  correspondents  with  plain 
matters  of  fact,  which  fell  under  my  own  observation. 

You  know  how  easy  it  is  for  a  stranger,  passing  rapidly 
through  a  country,  to  form  opinions  the  most  erroneous  and 
absurd,  of  the  real  state  of  society. 

America  has  suffered  severely  in  this  way  by  travellers. 
Full  of  prejudice,  and  determined  to  pander  to  the  vitiated 
taste  of  their  countrymen  at  home ;  having  neither  time, 
disposition,  nor  perhaps  capabilities  to  examine  into  the  true 
state  of  American  society  ;  but  driven  on,  by  the  force  of 
circumstances,  to  write  a  book  and  travel  too ;  "  wide  awake '' 
to  all  the  peculiarities  of  that  society  with  which  they  have 
the  honor  to  mingle,  namely,  bar-room  heroes,  stage-coach 
characters,  and  the  promiscuous  crowd  of  men  of  all  nations 
under  heaven,  on  the  crowded  street  of  the  city,  or  deck 
of  the  steamer,  (to  say  nothing  of  the  fictitious,)  they  are 
"  enabled  to  draw  to  the  hfe  the  national  character  of  the 
Yankees."  Their  productions  are  published  to  the  world, 
and  read  with  avidity,  and  credited;  while  it  is  plain  to 
those  who  have  spent  many  years  in  that  country,  that  their 
readers  are  still  in  total  imorance  about  American  manners 

o 

and  the  real  condition  of  the  population. 

Nothing  can  be  more  unjust ;  and  American  institutions, 
moral,  religious,  political,  and  scientific,  have  been  caricatured 
from  such  sources  of  information. 

"  Where  others  toil  with  philosophic  force, 
Their  nimble  nonsense  takes  a  shorter  course ; 
Flings  at  your  head  convictions  in  a  lump, 
And  gains  remote  conclusions  at  a  jump." 

But  to  return  to  the  subject ;  wherever  such  revival  dis- 
closures occur,  whether  in  Europe  or  America,  the  matter 
is  worthy  of  the  most  serious  consideration.     If  the  new 


BAMBLES   ABOUND    LEEDS.  323 

birth  is  the  hinge  upon  which  the  salvation  or  damnation  of 
the  soul  must  turn,  so  many  persons,  living  destitute  of  such 
a  change,  and  within  the  bosom  of  a  church,  so  clear,  doc- 
trinally  and  experimentally,  upon  this  point,  is  a  most  serious 
and  awful  affair.  Were  I  to  venture  any  thing  like  an  opin- 
ion, I  would  say,  the  cause  might  be  traced  to  the  entire 
absence  of,  or  long  intervals  between,  powerful  revivals  of 
religion.  Where  this  is  the  case,  there  would  be  as  much 
hkelihood  to  find  in  such  societies  a  healthy  and  vigorous 
membership,  as  a  population  enjoying  excellent  health  though 
unvisitcd  for  years  by  the  purifying  breezes  of  heaven.  We 
need  a  gale  every  now  and  then  to  sweep  through  the  streets 
and  lanes  of  our  great  towns  to  carry  off  the  smoke  and 
unhealthy  exhalations.  And  thus  it  is  in  a  spiritual  sense 
with  the  church  of  God ;  she  needs  a  revival  breeze.  Our 
Lord  compared  the  operations  of  the  Spirit  to  the  wind, 
which  bloweth  where  it  listeth ;  and  we  still  want  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  in  some  places  nothing  but 
a  tornado  can  clarify  the  spiritual  atmosphere,  so  as  to  ren- 
der it  fit  to  breathe  in,  or  to  see  heaven  through  by  faith  — 
such  as  that  which  came  in  a  sound  from  heaven,  as  of  a 
rushing  mighty  wind,  filling  all  our  places  of  worship,  and 
the  heart  of  every  worshipper ;  shakmg  the  place,  and  set- 
ting the  town  in  an  uproar,  as  Jerusalem  in  days  of  old. 
Acts  ii.  and  iv.  31.  And  blessed  be  God,  this  is  in  full 
accordance  with  that  verse  which  they  sing  vigorously  in 
this  country,  as  well  as  in  America :  — 

*•  Like  mighty  winds,  or  torrents  fierce, 
Let  it  opposers  all  o'errun  ; 
And  every  law  of  sin  reverse, 
That  faith  and  love  may  make  all  one." 

A  neglect  upon  the  part  of  ministers  and  leadmg  members 
to  caryy  out  fully  a  revival  where  it  has  copamenced,  or  an 


324  KAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

indisposition  to  live  for  and  perpetuate  a  succession  of  those 
gracious  visitations,  weakens  the  church  of  God,  and  grieves 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

A  certain  town,  for  instance,  is  favored  with  a  remarkable 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  with  or  without  extraordinary  instru- 
mentality, and  a  large  increase  of  converted  souls  is  realized 
by  that  church.  Now,  if  instead  of  a  vigorous  co-operation 
with  God  for  a  continuation  of  the  revival,  (and  I  can  see 
no  reason  why  it  should  stop,  while  a  backslider  remains  to 
be  reclaimed,  or  an  unconverted  sinner  in  the  town ;  though 
the  flame  may  not  for  a  time  catch  upon  sinners,  it  need 
never  lose  its  intensity  in  the  hearts  of  believers,)  they 
grow  weary  in  well  doing,  and  desire  something  else  more 
than  the  salvation  of  sinners ;  the  Spirit  of  God  is  then 
grieved,  a  blight  comes  on  the  church,  and  a  general  dead- 
ness  will  be  the  consequence,  and  most  probably  the  melan- 
choly relapse  of  the  new  converts. 

But  supposing  the  revival  to  have  ceased,  let  the  church 
be  alive  for  its  recommencement ;  and  whether  their  faith  be 
fixed  on  God  for  a  revival  now^  in  the  regular  means  of 
grace,  or  in  the  "  special  services  "  intended  for  next  month, 
the  effects  must  ever  be  the  most  salutary.  The  church  of 
God  is  by  that  means  kept  in  action,  —  brought  into  the 
field,  —  and  activity  is  the  spring-tide  of  rehgious  feeling. 
Methodism,  from  the  beginning,  has  been  a  system  of  aggres- 
sion  against  the  devil  and  all  his  works ;  let  her  keep  to  this, 
and  she  will  multiply  her  numbers  and  increase  both  in  power 
and  influence.  Whenever  and  wherever  she  loses  this  dis- 
tinguishing feature  in  her  economy,  she  must  dwindle  away 
into  insignificance.  I  have  never  yet  seen  it  fail ;  and  the 
catastrophe  has  always  been  in  proportion  to  the  length  of 
time  since  she  ceased  to  be  the  aggressor.  It  is  not  enough 
that  Methodism  is  enabled  to  stand  on  the  defensive,  an(} 


RAMBLES   AROUND   LEEDS.  325 

hold  her  own  ;  if  this  be  all,  a  very  small  part  of  the  designs 
of  God  are  answered ;  and  she  has  little  more  than  half  her 
glory.  Acquisition  should  never  be  effaced  from  her  banners. 
The  devil's  territory  must  be  invaded  till  earth  and  hell  are 
aroused  against  her  aggressive  movements.  Then,  and  not 
till  then,  shall  Methodism  be  in  the  meridian  glory  of  her 
usefulness. 

I  have  ever  considered  an  anti-revival  Methodist  preacher 
as  a  phenomenon  in  Methodism.  It  would  be  almost  as  dif- 
ficult for  a  man  of  that  character,  unless  a  consummate  hyp- 
ocrite, to  get  into  the  ranks  of  American  Methodism,  as  for 
a  Jesuit ;  and  I  believe  the  remark  will  equally  apply  to 
Wesleyan  Methodism  in  these  kingdoms.  I  can,  however, 
easily  conceive  how  a  minister  may  lose  the  life  of  God  out 
of  his  soul,  and  fearfully  backslide  from  first  principles.  A 
criminal  indifference  to  zealous  efforts  for  the  salvation  of 
sinners  may  characterize  his  movements.  Is  it  not  possible 
for  him  to  impart  the  same  feeling  to  the  oflficers  of  the 
church  during  the  years  of  his  stay  upon  the  circuit  ?  Sup- 
pose, that  at  the  end  of  his  term  the  church  is  cursed  with 
another  of  a  similar  spirit,  the  results  upon  the  cause  of  God 
are  too  evident  to  need  enlargement  here.  There  have  been 
mournful  cases  of  that  kind,  as  you  very  well  know,  in 
America,  till  the  conference  has  been  under  the  necessity  to 
request  them  to  "  sit  down;"  that  is,  to  cease  the  itinerancy ; 
and  why  ?  Because  of  an  almost  universal  protest  against 
receiving  them  from  the  circuits  within  the  bounds  of  the 
conference. 

It  has  been  ruled  by  some,  and  in  high  places  too,  that 
the  flock  are  just  what  the  pastors  choose  to  make  them. 
This  precept,  though  extensive,  is  not  of  universal  applica^ 
tion.  "  Like  people,  like  priest,"  says  the  prophet  Hosca  ; 
—  as  you  find  the  people,  so  you  shall  the  priest.  This 
28 


326  RAMBLES   AROmVD    LEEDS. 

looks  like  tracing  effects  to  ttieir  cause.  But  another  holy 
prophet,  Isaiah,  after  all  his  faithful  labor,  found  his  people 
what  he  would  not,  and  mournfully  complained,  "  I  have 
labored  in  vain,  I  have  spent  my  strength  for  nought,  and  in 
vain  ; "  and  inquired,  "  Who  hath  believed  our  report  ?  and 
to  whom  is  the  arm  of  the  Lord  revealed  ?  " 

There  have  been  places  where  ministers  have  worked 
themselves  into  the  grave  in  ineffectual  efforts  for  a  revival. 

I  have  known  branches  of  our  church  settle  down  and 
cease  to  look  for  another  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  con- 
tented to  glide  along  from  year  to  year,  without  any  revival, 
till  their  feeble  and  sickly  state,  and  the  wickedness  of 
sinners  around  them,  became  notorious. 

Where  there  is  no  anxiety  about  a  revival,  in  the  hearts 
of  the  leading  members  of  the  church,  it  is  not  to  be  expected 
they  will  make  that  sacrifice  of  time  and  strength,  required 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  bring  about  such  an  important  triumph 
of  the  gospel.  The  inconsistency  is  greater  where  such  an 
event  is  prayed  for  in  sincerity,  while  a  reluctancy  is  indulged 
to  employ  the  necessary  means. 

AVhether  any  of  these  propositions  apply  to  the  past  his- 
tory of  the  Methodist  church  in  Leeds,  and  in  the  other 
towns  I  have  visited,  I  cannot  determine. 

You  remember  the  great  revival  in  *  *  * .  Long  and 
anxiously  did  they  desire  a  revival ;  but  entertained  at  the 
same  time  an  aversion  to  extraordinary  means.  And  why  ? 
Lest  the  ordinary  services,  which  they  admitted  were  inef- 
ficient, should  be  brought  into  discredit  by  the  extraordinary ; 
as  if  another  gospel  was  to  be  preached  in  the  latter,  while 
in  fact,  the  proposal  was,  only  to  preach  the  gospel  a  little 
oftener,  —  say  every  night  in  the  week  in  the  same  chapel, 
instead  of  one  or  two  nights.  God,  again  and  again,  both 
by  his  providence  and  the  example  and  successes  of  other 


RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS.  327 

churclies,  invited  them  to  co-operate  with  him,  in  a  direct 
and  continued  attack  upon  the  devil's  kingdom.  But,  "  No, 
the  preaching  on  the  Sabbath  is  excellent ;  and  if  sinners 
are  not  aroused  and  converted  by  such  preaching  as  we  have 
now,  the  J  ought  to  be  damned."  They  did  not  see  that  it 
is  with  mind  as  it  is  with  matter  —  hammer  long  enough  upon 
a  rock,  and  you  will  break  it  in  pieces ;  repeat  your  strokes 
upon  mind,  and  it  must  also  break  down.  Every  body  knows, 
that  one  day  in  the  week,  however  heavy  the  hammer  and 
rapid  the  blows,  cannot  accomplish  so  much,  as  if  the  same 
were  wielded  every  day  of  the  week. 

No  man  in  that  town  could  have  prevailed  upon  the  lead- 
ing members  of  that  church,  to  carry  into  their  business 
operations  the  same  principles  they  had  adopted  for  a  revival 
of  religion  —  work  one  day  and  rest  six.  Thus  they  con- 
tinued several  years.  A  few  were  converted  in  th^t  time, 
and  many  were  impressed  with  the  truth,  and  joined  the 
church,  and  met  in  class :  — 

*'  But  the  place  designed  for  growth  in  gi-ace, 
Became  their  spiritual  landing-place." 

They  never  grew  at  all,  because  they  had  not  been  born  of 
the  Spirit.  With  the  exception  of  numbers,  some  of  the 
classes  resembled  a  Popish  confessional ;  the  "  experience  " 
was  scarcely  a  whisper,  and  none  heard  it  but  the  leader ; 
and  some  were  dumbies  who  could  say  nothing.  "What  is 
recorded  in  2  Kings  xix.  3,  might  truly  be  said  of  that 
church ;  she  had  various  troubles  and  rebukes  from  God, 
and  blasphemies  from  a  world  of  wickedness ;  for  the  chil- 
dren were  brought  to  the  birth,  and  there  was  no  power  to 
bring  forth. 

After  years  had  passed  away,  and  some  of  these  unhappy 
persons  had  died,  and  probably  slipped  away  into  hell,  the 
Lord  heard  the  sighmg  of  the  prisoners,  who  yet  continued 


328  KAMBLES   AROUND   LEEDS. 

in  his  church,  and  the  secret  supplications  of  some  of  the 
excellent  of  the  earth.  Preachers  and  people,  with  another 
man  of  God  who  had  come  by  special  invitation,  humbled 
themselves  before  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  The  house  of  God 
was  thrown  open  day  and  night.  Battle  was  given  against 
the  works  of  darkness.  The  population  ran  together,  and 
cried,  "What  meaneth  this?  Are  you  mad  or  drunk?'* 
"  We  are  neither ;  but  come  out  every  night,  this  week  and 
next,  and  learn  the  secret."  The  burning  truths  of  God  were 
showered  upon  sinners  during  eight  or  nine  days.  At  length 
God  shook  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  the  Spirit  of  God  was 
poured  out  upon  the  people,  hundreds  of  the  sinners  in  Zion 
were  born  again,  while  God  added  daily  to  his  victorious 
church  scores  of  converted  souls  from  the  world.  But  this 
was  succeeded  by  a  humiliating  difficulty.  They  might  as 
w^ell  have  tried  to  keep  the  thunder  a  secret  as  this  revival. 
The  report  of  it  spread  far  and  wide ;  many  came  from  a 
great  distance  to  witness  the  conquering  power  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ.  All  who  had  seen  or  heard  of  it,  expected 
an  amazing  increase  of  members.  Although  it  was  large, 
yet  when  matters  came  to  be  sifted,  it  was  not  at  all  in 
proportion  to  the  numbers  reported  to  have  been  saved, 
and  the  reaction  was  injurious  for  a  time.  An  astonishing 
monument  of  the  revival  had  been  raised,  and  the  church 
was  a  living  flame,  but  this  did  not  satisfy  those  inclined  to 
find  fault.  The  insinuations  of  carnal  professors  were  even 
more  annoying  than  those  from  the  world.  They  had  been 
reproved  in  conscience  for  their  inactivity  during  the  revival ; 
and  now,  it  seemed  as  if  they  enjoyed  a  secret  satisfaction 
at  what  they  called  "  the  failure  of  the  movement."  But 
the  ministers,  leaders,  and  those  who  were  devoted  to  God, 
knew  the  benefit  derived  too  well  to  be  weakened.  They 
•were  all  along  aware,  that  the  majority  of  those  converted, 


RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS.  329 

were  unconverted  or  backslidden  members ;  these,  with  the 
large  increase,  more  than  they  had  had  for  many  years,  and 
the  high  tone  of  religious  feeling  in  the  church,  enabled 
them  to  reply  to  the  cavillers,  "  We  are  well  repaid  for  a 
few  weeks'  hard  and  glorious  labor.  We  shall  <)ertainly  use 
the  very  same  means  for  another  revival,  within  a  few  months 
from  now.  In  the  mean  time  we  shall  endeavor  to  train 
these  new  converts  for  nobler  doings  in  the  church  of  God. 
We  shall  get  all  things  in  readiness  for  another  battle.  We 
see  plainly,  that  it  is  only  preaching  the  gospel  a  little 
oftener,  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven. 
If  the  Lord  has  done  so  much  for  us  under  such  disadvan- 
tages, what  may  we  not  expect  during  another  campaign, 
seeing  that  we  have  so  many  hundreds  more  of  converted 
souls  to  bring  into  the  field  ?  " 

Again  and  again,  you  are  aware,  has  that  church  been 
visited  with  such  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  till  not  a 
dog  dare  move  his  tongue  against  a  revival.  Exod.  xi.  T. 
You  may  possibly  recollect  my  reading  you  an  extract  from 
the  Annual  Address  of  the  British  Conference  to  the  Wes- 
leyan  Methodists,  in  1839  or  1840.  It  was  a  source  of  great 
encouragement  to  me,  as  it  showed  that  the  ministers  of  the 
Wesleyan  church  had  not  varied  a  hair-breadth  from  first 
principles.  "  Some  churches  regard  revivals  of  religion  as 
gracious  singularities  in  their  history ;  we  regard  them  as 
essential  to  our  existence.  If  a  regular  series  of  di\dne 
visitations,  issuing  in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  be  not  vouch- 
safed to  us,  we  must  either  change  the  spiritual  constitution 
of  our  discipline  or  we  shall  pine  away  from  among  the 
tribes  of  God's  Israel." 

In  no  town  that  I  have  hitherto  visited,  has  the  work  of 
entire  sanctification  advanced  with  such  swiftness,  power, 
and  distinctness,  as  m  this  town.  Hundreds  were  raised  up 
28* 


330  RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS. 

to  testify,  in  the  clearest  manner,  that  the  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  had  cleansed  them  from  all  sin.  More  than  once, 
hoAvever,  it  has  been  hinted  in  certain  companies,  that  the 
majority  of  these  had  only  experienced  a  larger  degree  of 
justifying  grace ;  in  a  few  days  or  weeks  from  now,  they 
would  come  down  from  such  flights,  and  be  content  with  the 
level  of  the  justified  ones.  Were  I  called  upon  for  a  reply, 
I  would  say,  it  may  be  so,  and  most  likely  will  be  so,  if  their 
testimon}^  be  treated  with  unwarrantable  suspicion  by  their 
fellow  members.  Let  this  holy  flame  be  fanned  by  frequent 
and  clear  sermons  on  this  doctrine,  and  let  all  those  who 
have  professed  this  great  blessing  be  exhorted  to  hold  it  fast ; 
and  should  any  such  suSer  loss,  let  the  whole  church  cry  to 
God  for  their  recovery.  Moreover,  let  the  purified  souls  be 
encouraged  to  bear  a  distinct  and  weekly  testimony  to  what 
God  has  done  for  them,  without  any  annoying  insinuations, 
unless  their  conduct  contradict  their  profession ;  let  them  be 
treated  in  a  loving  but  searching  manner  ;  and  if  they  have 
been  mistaken,  they  may  not  be  discouraged,  but  obtain  the 
very  thing  after  which  their  eager  souls  have  been  so  sin- 
cerely aspiring.  At  the  same  time  let  all  the  Lord's  people 
be  exhorted  to  press  into  this  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of 
God,  now,  by  simple  faith ;  and  this  revival  of  entire  sancti- 
fication  need  never  stop,  till  the  entire  Wesleyan  church  in 
Leeds  is  saved,  to  sin  no  more. 

After  Mr.  Caughey  left  Leeds,  those  enemies  to  revivals, 
who  could  not  in  the  face  of  facts  deny  that  a  mighty  work 
was  wrought,  reported  that  a  decline  in  religion  had  suc- 
ceeded his  labors,  owing  to  the  great  instability  of  the  con- 
verts. But  this  mahgnant  falsehood  found  its  contradiction 
in  the  minutes  of  the  Annual  Conferences,  for  they  showed 
that  while    the   numbers   in   society  had   been  gradually 


RAMBLES  AROUND  LEEDS.  331 

declining  in  Leeds  from  1840  to  1843,  the  period  of  Mr. 
Caughey's  labors,  there  was  an  increase  of  jive  hundred 
members  reported  at  the  following  Conference,  and  the  circuit 
continued  to  prosper  from  the  impulse  it  then  received. 

After  leaving  Leeds,  Mr.  Caughey  made  a  short  tour  on 
the  continent,  in  which  he  passed  rapidly  through  portions  of 
France,  Holland,  Prussia,  Germany,  and  Switzerland,  making 
observations  on  men  and  manners,  and  gathering  information 
adapted  to  freshen  his  mind  and  prepare  him  for  further 
labors  in  his  Master's  vine^^ard. 

His  account  of  this  tour  is  contained  in  his  '  Letters,'  but 
for  want  of  space  we  are  compelled  to  pass  over  them  alto- 
gether. On  his  return  from  the  continent  we  find  him 
resuming  his  pleasant  toils  in  the  town  of  Hull ;  for  an 
account  of  which  the  reader  must  peruse  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN  HULL. 

The  following  chapter  is  rich  in  incident.  It  exhibits  the 
grace  of  God  in  one  of  its  most  wonderful  manifestations. 
God  is  seen  riding  gloriously  in  the  Revival  Chariot,  and  the 
Cross  triumphs  over  the  Serpent,  to  the  confusion  of  sinners 
and  the  joy  of  saints.  Such  displays  of  heavenly  power,  as 
were  made  in  the  Waltham  street  chapel,  show  that  the 
modern  church  may  have  its  days  of  Pentecost  as  well  as 
the  ancient.  0,  for  that  fidelity  to  God  !  that  praying  faith, 
which,  with  holy  violence,  takes  the  kingdom  of  God  by 
force  ! 

The  reader  will  remember  that  the  visit  of  Mr.  Caughey 
to  Hull  took  place  in  the  autumn  of  1843,  directly  after  his 
return  from  his  first  continental  tour.  He  had  been  in  Hull 
some  weeks  when  he  wrote  the  following  account  of  the  work 
to  a  friend  in  America  :  — 

During  the  first  two  weeks  I  had  very  straitened  times  in 
preaching ;  frequently,  indeed,  my  mouth  was  almost  closed. 
Do  you  understand  this  ?  I  had  difiiculty  in  getting  ideas, 
and  quite  as  much  in  expressing  them  ;  as  if  they  would  die 
away  on  my  lips.  I  could  only  account  for  these  humiliating 
times  on  the  supposition  that  they,  (the  Methodists,)  were 
depending  upon  an  "  arm  of  flesh,"  instead  of  trusting  in  the 
332 


GLORIOUS    WORK    OF   GOD   IN   HULL.  333 

living  God.  They  had  heard,  it  seems,  much  about  your 
friend;  expectation  was  "on  tiptoe;"  nothing  was  looked 
for  but  some  mighty  and  sweeping  arguments,  with  bursts  of 
commanding  eloquence,  which  would  carry  every  thing  be- 
fore them,  mowing  down  sinners  by  hundreds.  Had  their 
faith  been  fixed  in  God  for  this,  it  is  not  unlikely  he  would 
have  honored  it,  by  an  immediate  putting  forth  of  his  power, 
in  an  extraordinary  manner.  This  was  a  sore  trial  to  me  ; 
and  my  divine  Master  continued  to  let  me  down  lower  and 
lower. 

One  night,  during  this  humiliation,  an  hitelligent  member 
said  to  her  husband,  as  they  were  returning  home,  "  That 
good  man  should  not  take  a  text  at  all."  My  soul  was  pros- 
trated and  humbled  before  God  and  man,  and  mourned  in 
the  dust.  The  Rev.  AVilliam  Illingworth,  one  of  the  min- 
isters stationed  in  this  town,  one  evening  after  preaching, 
explained  to  me,  in  a  pleasant  but  serious  manner,  the  great 
hinderance  in  the  way  of  a  revival.  It  is  not  necessary  to 
repeat  the  conversation,  as  the  substance  is  incorporated  in 
the  above,  but  his  concluding  advice  went  deep  into  my 
heart :  "  Hold  on  ;  preach  as  you  can  ;  by-and-by  the  peo- 
ple will  lay  hold  of  the  throne  of  grace  for  themselves,  by 
faith  and  prayer.  They  will  not  do  this,  however,  till  they 
have  learned  the  useful  lesson  —  man  can  do  nothing.  Then 
we  shall  have  a  breaking  down,  such  as  you  have  not  seen. 
This  you  may  depend  upon." 

This  encouraged  me  ;  and  we  cheerfully,  both  in  preach- 
ing and  in  various  exhortations,  labored  to  show  the  people 
that  without  an  influence  from  above,  the  gospel,  with  all 
our  efforts,  must  continue  a  dead  letter.  Gehazi  was  sent 
by  his  master  (2  Kings  iv.)  to  lay  the  staff  of  Elisha  upon 
the  face  of  the  dead  cliild  of  the  Shunammite.  Gehazi  ran, 
expecting  to  do  wonders  ;  just  as  some  think  of  accomplish 


334  GLomous  work  of  god  in  hull. 

ing  great  things  by  their  sermons,  without  a  proper  depend- 
ence upon  the  Holj  Ghost,  and  are  doomed  to  a  signal 
disappointment.  Gehazi  laid  the  staff  upon  the  "  head"  of 
the  child ;  like  ministers  of  the  gospel,  who  endeavor  to  drive 
the  life  of  religion  into  the  hearts  of  sinners,  bj  attacking 
the  head,  the  intellect  only.  He  stood  by  the  corpse,  anx- 
iously watching  the  process,  and  hoping,  no  doubt,  to  have 
the  miracle  wrought  before  his  master  arrived  !  But  the 
child  remained  as  dead  as  the  staff.  "  There  was  neither 
voice  nor  hearing."  Satisfied,  at  length,  that  the  means  had 
totally  failed  —  I  doubt  whether  the  man  spent  five  minutes 
in  agonizing  prayer  for  the  recovery  of  the  child — discour- 
aged, Gehazi  went  out  to  meet  Ehsha,  exclaiming  as  they 
met,  "  The  child  is  not  awaked  !"  I  wish  all  pious  people, 
and  aU  unsuccessful  ministers,  would  thus  return  to  their 
Lord  and  Master,  saying,  "  The  staff — the  sermon  has  been 
applied  to  the  sinner's  head  and  heart — but  he  is  not  awak- 
ened !  "  Let  them  see  to  it,  however,  that  they  fall  down 
and  agonize  with  God,  in  the  presence  of  the  sinner,  and 
leave  no  means  untried,  before  they  sink  into  despondency, 
and  return  forlornly  to  their  God,  as  Gehazi  to  his  master. 
Ehsha  said  nothing,  but  went  into  the  house,  entered  the 
chamber  of  death,  and  remained  there  alone  with  the  corpse, 
praying  to  God.  After  which,  he  "lay  upon"  the  dead 
boy,  "  and  put  his  mouth  upon  his  mouth,  and  his  eyes  upon 
his  eyes,  and  his  hands  upon  his  hands  ;  and  he  stretched 
himself  upon  the  child,  and  the  flesh  of  the  child  waxed 
warm."  The  minister  of  Christ  must  address  himself  to  the 
■\vhole  man,  if  he  will  have  the  dead  sinner  raised  to  life  ; 
the  passions  must  be  warmed  and  excited,  as  well  as  the 
eyes  of  the  understanding  opened.  Elisha  then  arose  "  and 
walked  in  the  house  to  and  fro,"  no  doubt  greatly  moved  in 
himself,  and  crying  earnestly  to  God.     Again  he  repeated 


GLORIOUS  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  HULL.        335 

the  experiment  upon  the  child,  using  the  means,  and  trusting 
m  the  power  of  a  miracle-working  God.  At  length  there 
were  signs  of  life,  and  a  noise  ;  the  child  sneezed  seven 
times,  opened  his  eyes,  and  was  restored  by  Elisha,  alive,  to 
his  joyful  mother. 

"  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts."  Zech.  iv.  G.  "  Christ  had  the  key  to  open 
Lydia's  heart,"  says  an  old  divine,  "  but  St.  Paul  might 
have  preached  his  heart  out,  before  Lydia's  heart  would  have 
opened  to  let  the  word  in,  had  not  the  Lord  undertaken  the 
work."  Acts  xvi.  14.  Christ  has  the  key  to  the  human 
heart,  but  he  must  turn  it,  or  it  will  remain  obstinately  and 
for  ever  shut  against  all  the  preaching  that  may  be  thundered 
at  the  door  !  The  word  of  God  is  a  seal,  (Rom.  vi.  IT,  and 
Eph  iv.  30,)  but  it  requires  the  hand  of  the  Holy  Ghost  upon 
the  word,  in  order  to  an  impression.  As  powder  to  a  bullet, 
so  are  faith  and  love  in  the  heart  of  a  minister,  to  make  truth 
effective. 

The  people  of  God  were  exhorted  and  entreated  to  be- 
seech the  Lord  of  hosts  to  fill  the  hearts  of  his  ministers  with 
tlie  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven  ;  they  were  told 
again  and  again  that  the  weightiest  truth  could  accompUsh 
nothing  without  the  direct  agency  of  the  Spirit ;  that  with- 
out this  influence,  the  words  of  the  preacher  would  fall  like 
feathers  or  flakes  of  snow  upon  the  congregation,  and  with  a 
similar  effect.  The  Lord  applied  such  truths  as  the  above 
to  the  hearts  of  many.  The  spirit  of  prayer  descended  upon 
the  people,  many  of  whom  were  now  in  an  agony  for  the 
conversion  of  sinners.  Hundreds  of  prayers  ascended  to 
heaven  every  day,  and  during  every  sermon,  for  "  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit."  The  superintendent,  the  Rev. 
Robert  Thompson,  managed  the  prayer  meetmgs  admirably ; 
and  his  colleagues,  the  Rev.  William  Hlmgworth,  and  the 


336  GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

Rev.  Jolm  Vine,  came  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  in  a  noble 
and  energetic  manner.  The  people  of  God,  observing  how 
cordially  and  confidently  their  ministers  co-operated  in  the 
work,  were  cheered  and  encouraged  to  give  all  the  aid  within 
their  power  ;  their  numbers  increased  in  the  meetings  daily, 
and  good  men  from  every  part  of  the  town  rallied  around 
our  standard,  and  prayer  became  general.  "  The  effectual, 
fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much,"  says  St. 
James;  and  says  a  good  old  minister,  "If  one  trumpet 
sounds  so  loud  in  the  ears  of  God,  how  much  more  a  concert 
of  all  the  silver  trumpets  of  Zion  sounding  together.  If 
one  sigh  of  a  praying  man  wafts  the  bark  to  the  desired 
haven,  or  stirreth  Zion's  ship,  how  much  more  a  gale  of  sighs 
breathed  by  a  thousand  real  Christians.  Where  so  many 
hands  are  lifted  up,  how  many  blessings  may  they  not  pull 
down  from  heaven  !  "  The  valley  of  dry  bones  was  stirred, 
(Ezek.  xxxvii.,)  "  There  was  a  noise,  and  behold  a  shaking." 
The  Spirit  of  God  now  moved  in  power,  and  breathed  upon 
the  slain,  and  they  lived,  and  "  stood  upon  their  feet,"  ahttle 
army  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  souls,  who  had  passed  from 
death  unto  life.  More  than  one  half  of  this  number  were 
already  members  of  the  Wesleyan  church  ;  some  of  whom 
had  backslidden  from  God,  and  others  had  never  been  convert- 
ed ;  the  remainder  were  from  the  world.  We  found  also 
about  two  hundred  persons,  who  had  within  a  few  weeks  ex- 
perienced the  blessing  of  entire  sanctification.  Thess.  v.  23, 
24.  All  glory  be  to  God  !  From  George  Yard  chapel, 
(Methodist  places  of  worship  are  all  called  chapels  in  this 
country ;  some  members  of  the  Establishment  call  them 
"  meeting-houses,"  others  "  preaching-houses,"  to  degrade 
them  as  far  as  possible  from  their  churches  ;  this,  of  course, 
you  would  not  bear  in  America,)  we  adjourned  to  the  King- 
ston chapel ;  a  new,  large,  and  elegant  edifice. 


GLORIOUS   WORK   OF    GOD   IN   HULL.  337 

Considerable  fear  was  entertained  by  many,  as  to  the  re- 
sult of  a  special  effort  in  this  chapel,  as  it  was  a  new  interest, 
and  very  many  of  the  pcw-holders  were  unconverted,  and 
not  a  few  of  tliem  comparative  strangers  to  Methodism.  But 
the  people  of  God  were  too  well  acquainted  with  the  source 
from  whence  we  obtained  our  victory  at  George  Yard,  to 
place  a  revival  in  this  chapel  upon  the  ground  of  probability. 
Indeed  the  last  Saturday  evening  we  spent  at  George  Yard, 
previous  to  commencing  at  Kingston,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomp- 
son told  them,  We  must  not  go  to  that  chapel  under  any 
other  feeling  than  an  unconquerable  and  unwavering  deter- 
mination to  obtain  a  glorious  victory  for  the  Lord  God  of 
hosts.  He  then  offered  all  the  lovers  of  Jesus  in  that  band- 
meeting  a  "  motto,  and  a  watchword,"  to  circulate  through 
all  their  ranks ;  and  advised  it  should  be  the  language  of 
their  hearts  as  they  passed  along  the  streets  to  the  chapel, 
and  at  every  meeting  there.  Victory  !  Victory  ! !  Victo- 
ry !!  !  Y^ou  know  my  sensitive  nature  ;  how  easily  weak- 
ened, how  ready  to  be  encouraged  in  conflicts  such  as  these. 
My  soul  was  happy  ;  I  felt  as  if  I  could  run  through  a  troop, 
and  leap  over  a  wall ! 

The  following  morning  (Sabbath)  we  commenced  the 
"  special  services  "  at  Kingston  ;  enjoyed  a  good  day,  and  a 
number  of  sinners  were  converted  to  God.  A  few  days  had 
only  passed  away,  when  the  revival  was  advancing  with  all 
the  rapidity  and  power  it  had  at  George  Yard.  We  con- 
tinued to  fight  the  battles  of  the  Lord  in  this  chapel,  till  the 
30th  ult.,  when  it  was  ascertained  that  more  than  two  hun- 
dred sinners  had  been  converted  from  the  world,  besides 
seventy  or  eighty  members ;  there  were  also  two  hundred 
and  fifty  members  who  obtained  the  blessing  of  entire  sanc- 
tification.  The  select  meeting  for  the  young  converts  was 
similar  to  those  I  have  described  in  other  letters.  Unite 
29 


838  GLORIOUS   WORK    OF    GOD    IN   HULL. 

"with  me,  my  dear  friend,  in  giving  all  the  glory  to  God  for 
such  wonderful  displays  of  his  power !  The  Lord  is  very 
good  to  me,  his  unworthy  servant ;  and  I  am  sure  you  will 
assist  me  in  giving  him  thanks  for  his  great  mercy  in  multi- 
plying the  evidences,  that  my  mission  to  Europe  was  of  God. 
It  affords  me  great  pleasure  also,  to  say,  that,  under  God, 
much  of  this  success  has  been  owing  to  the  "  brotherly  kind- 
ness "  manifested  by  the  superintendent  and  his  worthy  col- 
leagues, during  my  stay  among  them.  Every  thing  was  done 
by  them  to  smooth  my  path,  and  to  open  to  me  a  wide  door 
of  usefulness  in  this  town  ;  and  with  such  genuine  good 
will  as  none  could  misunderstand.  It  was  seldom  that  there 
was  not  one  of  them  present  to  take  the  management  of  the 
prayer  meeting.  Some  of  their  exhortations,  especially 
those  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Illingworth,  were  among  the  most 
soul-stirring  and  sinner-awakening  appeals  I  have  ever  heard. 
The  local  preachers  and  leaders,  among  whom  w^as  my  host, 
Mr.  William  Field,  entered  into  the  work  with  an  ardor  and 
success  I  have  never  seen  excelled.  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my 
soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me  praise  him,  that  he  has  per- 
mitted me  to  form  such  an  acquaintance  with  so  many  de- 
voted servants  of  the  living  God  !  The  presence  of  the 
stationed  ministers  reheved  my  mind  from  a  weight  of  re- 
sponsibility ;  and  having  perfect  confidence  in  their  judgment 
I  was  saved  from  all  anxiety  from  that  quarter-  The  help  also 
of  so  many  men  of  deep  experience,  rendered  unnecessary 
those  exhausting  personal  efforts  with  penitents  after  preaching 
which  you  are  aware  have  worn  me  down  in  other  revivals. 
We  retained  the  same  secretary  who  officiated  at  George 
Yard,  (Mr.  M.  *  *,)  by  which  means,  persons  who  had  relapsed 
into  doubt,  (which  frequently  happens  during  a  revival,)  and 
had  re-obtained  a  clear  sense  of  the  pardoning  love  of  God, 
were  prevented  from  having  their  names  recorded  a  second 


GLORIOUS   WORK   OF    GOD   IN   HULL.  339 

time  ;  which  should  always  be  avoided,  if  possible,  as  it  only 
swells  the  number  to  an  unreal  amount. 

Having  received  an  invitation  to  the  Hull  West  Circuit, 
from  the  superintendent,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Martin,  I  preached 
in  AValtham  Street  chapel,  last  Sabbath  morning ;  but  in 
such  a  "rough  and  unpalatable  manner,"  that  many  were 
offended.  At  night,  I  came  forward  with  a  text  which  had 
for  some  time  rested  upon  my  mind,  with  solemn  weight : 
"  This  year  tliou  slialt  die."  The  warning  was  attended 
with  an  unusual  influence  from  God,  and  about  forty  sinners 
were  converted.  This  display  of  the  power  of  truth,  togeth- 
er Avith  the  solemn  and  impressive  services  of  "  the  watch- 
night,"  have  given  an  impulse  to  the  revival,  which  I  trust 
it  will  retain  during  the  entire  special  services  on  this 
circuit. 

I  am  at  present  busily  engaged  in  preparing  a  volume  of 
my  Letters  for  the  press,  and  under  various  apprehensions 
as  to  how  they  may  be  received  by  the  public  ;  but  this  I 
must  leave  with  the  Lord.  The  principle  upon  which  I  pro- 
ceed is  this :  If  the  work  of  God  be  neglected,  in  bringing  out 
this  volume,  the  Lord  may  frown  upon  it,  and  it  will  not 
succeed,  but  become  a  total  loss  to  me.  But  if  I  continue  to 
give  my  energies  fully  to  the  revival,  leaving  nothing  undone 
likely  to  promote  its  interests,  and  then  do  what  else  I  can 
in  relation  to  the  book,  the  Lord  may  smile  upon  the  produc- 
tion, give  it  a  circulation,  and  make  it  a  blessing.  The  pre- 
paring of  this  volume  is  a  secondary  thing ;  and  this  is  as  it 
should  be.  The  fruit  of  my  preaching,  I  thank  God,  is  not 
so  problematical  as  that  of  my  pen.  ^ly  mind  is  quite  free 
from  dudnytaiioi,  ''  cvil  rcasonings,"  when  preaching  to  a 
chapel  full  of  sinners,  repentance  toward  God  and  faith  in 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  "Here  is  solid  footing !  "  The  re- 
suits  are  sure,  so  long,  at  least,  as  I   live  entirely  to  God, 


340  GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

and  wliile  my  Lord  graciously  permits  me  to  retain  the  com- 
mission he  vouchsafed  to  me  in  America. 

In  a  letter  bearing  date  of  Feb.  28,  (1844,)  Mr.  Caughey 
resumes  his  notices  of  the  Hull  revival  as  follows : 

You  will  be  rejoiced  to  hear  that  the  revival  is  advancing 
Avith  rapidity  and  power.  The  great  end  which  every  con- 
scientious preacher  of  the  gospel  should  have  in  view,  is  being 
accomplished  daily  in  this  town  —  the  conversion  of  sinners 
to  .God.  The  effects  of  truth  upon  scores  and  hundreds  of 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  wickedness,  are  distinct  and 
undeniable. 

Since  the  last  day  of  the  last  year,  my  labors  have  been 
confined  to  the  Hull  West  Circuit.  We  continued  the  ser- 
vices in  Waltham  Street  chapel,  from  the  31st  of  December 
till  the  17th  instant. 

During  that  time,  the  congregations  were  large,  bej^ond 
any  thing  I  had  yet  seen  in  a  revival.  The  chapel,  on  the 
week  nights,  was  often  "filled  to  overflowing,"  long  before 
the  hour  had  arrived  for  preaching.  Every  service,  during 
the  above  period,  was  marked  by  a  gracious  and  constraining 
influence  from  above.  There  were  seasons,  too,  when  the 
power  of  God  was  revealed  in  a  manner  most  astonishing. 
An  extraordinar}^  manifestation  of  this  kind  occurred  in  the 
above  chapel,  on  Friday  night,  2d  instant,  which  I  shall 
never  forget,  nor  will  the  multitudes  who  were  present. 
During  the  first  forty  minutes  of  the  sermon,  there  was  an 
awful  solemnity,  "  a  general  calm  ;  "  not  unlike  a  prelude  to 
one  of  your  American  storms  of  thunder  and  lightning  and 
rain — "  a  silent  awe,  that  dares  not  move,"  pervaded  the  vast 
assembly.  So  profound  was  the  silence,  that  one  would  have 
supposed  the  falling  of  a  pin  could  have  been  heard  in  any 
part  of  the   chapel.      From,  say,  the  fortieth  to  the  forty- 


GLORIOUS  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  HULL.        341 

eighth  minute  of  the  discourse,  there  were  occasional  flashes 
of  divine  power,  succeeded  by  suppressed  sounds  from  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  congregation,  indicating  emotions  of  no 
ordinary  character.  The  preaching  was  very  far  from  being 
of  a  boisterous  kmd ;  but  when  the  preacher  arrived  at  that 
point  where  it  was  strongly,  but  not  with  violence,  urged 
that  full  salvation  should  be  expected  every  moment,  by  faith, 
there  was  a  divine  feeling.  "If  we  are  sanctified  by  faith," 
said  the  preacher,  "  why  not  now  ?  this  very  moment,  this 
instant,  now  ?  "  my  brother.     If 

"  Your  soul  breaks  out  in  strong  desire, 
Tliis  perfect  bliss  to  prove  ; 
Your  longing  heart  is  all  on  fire, 
To  be  dissolved  in  love." 

!More  rapid  than  thought  shall  be  your  transition  into  a 
state  of  perfect  purity  and  perfect  love.  If  you  dare  to  be- 
lieve, he  cleanses  now  ;  in  answer  to  your  powerful  prayer  it 
shall  be  done.  Believe  that  he  does  save  you  from  sin  now, 
and  just  now,  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son  does  cleanse 
you  from  all  sin,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  you 
shall  be  able  to  testify,  "  Let  men  exclaim,  and  fiends  re- 
pine,"— 

"  'T  is  done,  thou  dost  this  moment  save. 
With  full  salvation  bless  ; 
Eedemption  through  thy  blood  I  have, 
And  spotless  love  and  peace  !  " 

At  this  moment,  an  influence,  evidently  from  Heaven, 
came  upon  the  people  suddenly ;  *  it  seemed  like  some 
mighty  rushing  —  like  the  bursting  of  a  storm  of  wind  upon 
some  extensive  forest.  The  entire  congregation  was  in  mo- 
tion ;  some  preparing  to  fly  from  the  place,  and  others  in  the 
act  of  prostrating  themselves  before  the  Lord  God  of  hosts. 
Cries  for  mercy,  and  piercmg  suppUcations  for   purity  of 

*  Acts  ii.  2. 

29» 


342  GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

heart,  were  heard  from  all  parts  of  the  agitated  mass  —  on 
the  galleries,  as  well  as  throughout  the  body  of  the  chapel ; 
while  purified  souls  were  exulting  in  the  loftiest  strains  of 
adoration. 

The  scene  was,  beyond  description,  grand  and  sublimely 
awful.  It  was  "  God's  own  house,  and  heaven's  gate."  Poor 
sinners  were  amazed,  and  fled  ;  but  some  of  them  fell  down, 
some  distance  from  the  chapel,  in  terror  and  agony.  Many, 
however,  remained,  venturing  the  pubhcan's  plea,  "  God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner !  "  My  soul,  full  of  holy  awe, 
trembled  before  the  majesty  of  God.  Like  Elijah,  who  cov- 
ered his  face  in  his  mantle  when  the  Lord  passed  by,  I 
was  glad  of  a  place  of  concealment  in  the  bottom  of 
the  pulpit.  The  superintendent  minister,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Martin,  who  was  mth  me  in  the  pulpit  at  the  time,  was  so 
overpowered,  that  he  could  do  nothing  but  weep  and  adore. 
Thus  it  continued  for  about  twenty-five  minutes,  when  the 
Lord  stayed  his  hand,  and  there  was  a  sudden  and  heavenly 
calm,  full  of  sunshine  and  glory.  The  number  converted 
and  sanctified  on  that  night  was  great.  It  appears  the  in- 
fluence was  almost  as  powerful  outside  the  chapel  as  within. 
An  unconverted  man,  who  was  standing  without  at  the  time, 
waiting  to  accompany  his  wife  home,  said,  w^hen  she  came 
out,  "  I  don't  know  what  has  been  going  on  in  the  chapel,  or 
how  you  have  felt,  but  there  was  a  very  strange  feehng  came 
over  me  while  I  was  standing  at  the  door." 

A  few  such  shocks  of  almighty  power  would  turn  the 
kingdom  of  the  devil  in  any  place  or  city  upside  down,  and 
go  far  to  convert  the  entire  population. 

I  have  seen  but  few  such  manifestations  of  divine  power 
during  the  course  of  my  ministry ;  that  which  occurred  at 
the  Port  Jackson  camp-meeting,  on  the  western  banks  of  Lake 
Champlain,  very  much  resembled  it. 


GLORIOUS  WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL.  343 

I  have  become  acquainted  -with  several  remarkable  cases 
of  conversion,  in  connection  -with  this  revival,  some  of  -which 
will  be  interesting  to  jou. 

A  few  mornings  since,  a  backslider,  aged  about  fifty, 
called  to  see  me,  in  great  distress  of  mind.  lie  trembled 
from  head  to  foot,  and  so  great  was  his  anguish,  he  could 
not,  for  some  time,  utter  a  word.  At  length,  he  cried, 
"  Lord,  help  me  !  0,  Sir,  a  few  houi'S  ago,  I  had  a  dream. 
T  thought  I  was  in  a  strange  town,  some  distance  from  Hull, 
where  the  devil  appeared  to  me,  and  attempted  to  carry  me 
oft*  to  hell,  body  and  soul.  My  soul  was  greatly  troubled  in 
my  dream,  and  I  begged  for  a  certain  number  of  hours,  that 
I  might  return  to  Hull,  and  bid  my  wife  and  family  farewell. 
I  asked  for  twenty-four  hours,  in  which  to  go  and  come  back ; 
alio  whig  twelve  hours  to  remain  with  my  family.  The  devil 
replied,  '  Very  well,  you  shall  have  that  time  ; '  and  now," 
continued  the  unhappy  man,  weeping  as  if  his  heart  would 
break,  "  I  believe  I  shall  be  taken  sick  to-morrow,  at  a  cer- 
tain time,  and  die."  It  is  a  warning  from  God,  my  friend, 
I  replied,  and  receive  it  as  such.  "  But  I  shall  die  to-mon-ow, 
about  this  time."  No  ;  I  beheve  you  will  hve  much  beyond 
that  period,  if  you  seek  for  mercy,  and  get  your  backslidings 
healed ;  you  may  be  spared  yet  a  number  of  years,  to  glori- 
fy your  pardoning  God.  "  Do  you  think  so  ?  "  I  certainly 
do,  but  it  will  be  at  your  peril  to  procrastmate  your  salva- 
tion. Come  forward  to  be  prayed  for  to-night,  at  the  close 
of  the  sermon,  in  Waltham  Street  chapel,  should  you  not 
obtain  salvation  before.  After  prayer,  he  departed  in  great 
anguish  and  agitation  of  spirit.  That  night  he  came  for- 
ward, among  many  other  penitents,  with  his  deeply-awakened 
wife  by  his  side  ;  nor  did  he  leave  the  place  of  prayer  till 
God  had  restored  to  his  soul  the  joys  of  salvation.  A  few 
days  after,  on  a  Sabbath  morning,  at  the  Kingston  chapel,  I 


344  GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

mentioned  the  case  ;  and  he  arose  and  testified  to  a  large 
congregation  that  he  was  the  sinner  whom  God  had  so  won- 
derfully rescued  from  hell. 

The  following  letter  from  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Hull 
East  Circuit  to  me,  unfolds  an  interposition  of  the  presence 
and  power  of  God,  which  ought  not  to  be  concealed  :  — 

"  Hull,  February  27, 1844. 
^'Dear  Sir, 

"  Feeling  assured  that  it  will  be  mteresting  to  you  to  re- 
ceive any  information  concerning  those  persons  who,  during 
this  great  revival,  have  been  brought  to  ^  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth,'  especially,  as  so  many  infidels,  moralists,  and  car- 
nal professors  seem  determined  to  brand  that  work  as  the 
efiect  of  a  mere  mental,  temporary  excitement,  it  is  with 
unfeigned  pleasure  I  communicate  the  following  incident,  as 
additional  evidence  that  the  work  in  which  you  are  engaged, 
is  indeed  the  work  of  God. 

"  You  will  remember,  dear  Sir,  during  the  services  at 
Kingston  chapel,  one  night,  at  the  close  of  your  sermon,  you 
were  involved  in  a  deep  and  intense  agony  respecting  some 
individual  in  the  congregation,  who,  as  it  appeared  to  you, 
was  violently  resisting  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and 
upon  the  very  brink  of  destruction  ;  and,  so  solemn  and  aw- 
ful was  the  impression,  at  that  moment,  throughout  the  vast 
congregation,  that  many  persons  have  repeatedly  declared, 
they  never  recollected  any  thing  comparable  to  it  during  their 
previous  history. 

"  The  following  incident  may  serve,  perhaps,  in  some 
measure,  to  elucidate  the  occasion  of  that  most  extraordi- 
nary and  overwhelming  scene  :  — 

"  J.  A.,  now  a  member  of  my  class,  and  apparently, 
about  forty  years  of  age,  was,  until  within  the  last  two  or 


GLOKIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IX   HULL.  345 

three  months,  a  bitter  enemy  of  religion,  and  a  violent  per- 
secutor of  the  people  of  God.  In  his  sentiments  he  appears 
to  have  been  an  infidel ;  for,  notwithstanding  his  awful  blas- 
phemies uttered  against  every  thing  sacred,  he  has  been 
frequently  heard  to  say,  that  ^  if  there  were  a  God  and  a 
heaven,  he  had  no  doubt  of  going  there.'  I  ought  to  state 
that  his  w^ifc  had  been  for  some  time  a  member  of  our  so- 
ciety, but  through  his  violent  persecutions,  she  was  induced, 
after  considerable  endurance,  to  withdraw  licrsclf,  and  lost 
her  religion.  No  matter  into  what  company  J.  A.  entered, 
whenever  rehgion  was  named,  he  never  hesitated  to  denounce 
it  as  a  system  of  '  fraud  and  deception,'  and  its  ministers  as 

*  rogues,  vagabonds,  devils,'  &c.     And  he  has  often  said,  that 

*  if  ever  he  entered  Kingston  chapel,  he  hoped  he  should  be 
smothered,  or  that  it  would  fall  down  upon  him  and  crush 
him.'  Soon  after  you  came  to  Hull,  he  visited  a  member  of 
my  class,  Mrs.  J.,  and  during  the  conversation  said,  'Why 
you  have  another  rascal  come  to  town.'  '  Rascal,'  said  the 
person,  '  who  do  you  mean  ? ' 

" '  Why,'  said  he,  '  that  man  from  America.'  And  again 
he  commenced  his  old  course  of  blasphemous  language 
against  the  ministers  of  religion,  &c.,  when  she  remind- 
ed him  of  the  impropriety  of  such  language  in  the  pres- 
ence of  her  children,  and  commanded  him  to  leave  the 
house,  at  the  same  time  teUing  him,  that  she  should  call 
upon  his  wife  to  go  and  hear  this  Mr.  Caughey. 

"  She  did  so.  His  v,-ifc  went  to  the  chapel,  and  through  the 
mercy  of  God,  was  awakened  and  converted.  She  was  solicit- 
ed to  become  a  member  of  society,  and  a  leader  waited  upon 
her  two  or  three  times  ere  he  could  meet  with  her  at  home. 
Her  husband,  by  some  means,  received  some  intimation  of  it, 
and  became  gi*eatly  enraged  ;  prohibited  her  from  attending 
class  meetings,  threatening  her,  if  she   did,  with  the   most 


346        GLORIOUS  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  HULL. 

awful  denunciations,  and  hoping  that  ^  if  ever  she  entered 
that  chapel  (Kingston)  again,  she  would  fall  down  and  break 
her  neck.'  But  she  was  determined,  if  possible,  to  attend.; 
and  as  the  duties  of  her  husband  required  his  attention  at 
that  period  of  the  evening,  she  thought  she  could  do  so  with- 
out his  knowledge.  That  day  came,  and  to  use  his  own  ex- 
pression, he  '  felt  hke  a  devil ; '  came  to  the  dreadful  de- 
termination, as  sincerely  and  resolutely  as  he  ever  determined 
upon  any  thing  in  his  Hfe,  as  he  himself  has  since  declared, 
to  take  away  the  lives  of  his  w^ife  and  child,  in  fact  to  '  cut 
their  throats,'  and  afterwards  to  destroy  himself.  In  order 
to  effect  this  horrid  deed,  he  hired  a  man  to  occupy  his  place, 
and  proceeded  to  his  house.  His  wife,  being  unacquainted 
with  these  circumstances,  was,  of  course,  not  a  little  sur- 
prised to  see  him.  Very  suddenly  and  unexpectedly,  how- 
ever, he  changed  his  purpose,  and  announced  his  intention 
to  go  with  her  to  chapel.  They  went ;  but  on  their  way,  he 
reiterated  his  strange  wish  that  they  might  be  '  smothered ; ' 
and  indeed  he  was  '  smothered,'  whether  from  external  or 
internal  causes,  or  both,  but  most  probably  from  extreme 
mental  conflict ;  for  he  was  observed  to  be  in  a  state  of  deep 
agitation  during  the  whole  service  ;  huge  drops  of  perspira- 
tion, large  as  peas,  were  seen  to  drop  almost  incessantly  from 
his  brow.  Indeed,  if  ever  the  powers  of  heaven  and  the 
demons  of  hell  were  in  conflict  for  a  man's  soul,  it  seems  as 
if  they  were  for  his.  So  great  was  the  agony  of  his  mind 
that  he  was  quite  incapable  of  paying  attention  to  the  ser- 
mon. 

"  But  he  was  within  the  precints  of  the  Lord's  sanctuary 
and  the  range  of  divine  influence.  As  you  were  proceeding 
in  your  discourse,  he  made  a  move  to  leave  the  chapel,  and 
requested  his  wife  to  follow  him  ;  but  she  pressed  him  to  re- 
main a  little  longer  ;  and  this  was  repeated  two  or  three  times, 


GLORIOUS    WORK    OF    GOD    IN    HULL.  347 

until  at  last  he  said,  with  as  much  vehemence  as  he  dared, 
'  What  the  devil  in  hell  will  you  stay  here  for  ?  '  She  then 
thought  it  necessary  to  move,  and  they  went  out.  You  will 
remember,  dear  Sir,  when  in  that  tremendous  agony,  you 
heard  some  person  moving,  as  if  to  leave  the  chapel,  and  yo\x 
besought  them,  with  the  utmost  fervor  and  energy,  not  to 
leave  the  place  ;  as  though  you  thought  the  individual  con- 
cerning whom  you  were  so  burdened  was  then  retiring  from 
the  chapel,     lie  and  his  wife  were  then  going  out. 

"  The  '  hand  of  the  Lord,'  however,  was  upon  him,  and 
he  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  his  heart  began  to  yield,  and 
his  convictions  became  deeper  and  more  intense,  almost  at 
every  step,  until  at  last  his  alarm  and  terror  became  so  great 
that  he  could  proceed  no  further ;  and  the  house  of  a  sister, 
which  he  had  long  avoided  on  account  of  her  religious  prin- 
ciples, being  near,  he  now  entered  to  groan  out  the  agonies 
of  his  soul,  and  plead  for  salvation.  All  united  in  fervent 
and  earnest  prayer  with  him,  but  he  did  not  obtain  the  deliv- 
erance he  so  anxiously  sought.  He  kept  his  burden  until 
the  following  Saturday  evening,  when  he  attended  the  band- 
meeting,  but  he  was  not  relieved  even  there.  He  then  pro- 
ceeded towards  the  town,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
some  groceries  ;  but  his  burden  was  so  intolerable  he  could . 
not  reach  the  shop  he  generally  frequented,  and  procured 
them  at  the  nearest.  On  his  return,  he  again  called  at  his 
sister's,  and  prayer  was  again  made  for  him,  but  apparently 
in  vain.  He  went  home,  and  after  a  tremendous  agony,  he 
obtained,  about  one  or  two  o'clock  in  the  moraing,  the  for- 
giveness of  his  sins.  He  could  then  say,  '  Being  justified 
by  fiiith,  I  have  peace  with  God.'  He  and  his  wife  have  at- 
tended my  class  ever  since.  His  peace  and  joy,  for  several 
weeks,  were  unutterable  ;  to  use  his  own  expression,  his 
*  heart  was  so  full,  he  could  not  tell  us  ; '  all  he   could  say 


348        GLOEIOUS  WORK  OF  GOD  IN  HULL. 

was  he  was  happy,  very  happy ;  and  he  continues  to  evidence, 
to  the  present  time,  the  reahty  and  genuineness  of  the 
change  wrought  by  the  Holy  Spirit  within  him.  He  attributes 
his  conversion  to  your  prayers,  and  the  prayers  of  the  con- 
gregation, offered,  as  they  seemed  to  him  to  have  been, 
especially  for  himself. 

"  Such,  dear  Sir,  are  the  triumphs  of  the  grace  of  God  ; 
and  no  doubt  there  are  many  instances  equally  remarkable, 
if  they  were  only  brought  to  light.  The  prayers  and  best 
wishes  of  hundreds,  aye,  and  thousands,  are  upon  you  and 
will  follow  you  wherever  joii  may  go.  i\Iay  the  Lord  bless 
and  prosper  you  more  and  more !  ^lay  your  health  and 
strength  be  long  preserved  to  labor  in  this  great  work  ;  and 
that  you  may  yet  be  permitted  to  see  many  thousands  and  tens 
of  thousands  brought  out  of  darkness  into  light,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  unto  God,  is  the  sincere  and  fervent  prayer 
of,  dear  Sir,  yours  most  affectionately, 

''  Thomas  Lester. 

"  To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caughey. 

"  P.  S.  You  will  perhaps  remember,  whilst  pleading  in 
agony  that  evening  you  uttered  the  words,  ^  Yisit  not  in 
judgment.  Lord,  but  in  mercy ; '  and  at  last  you  rose  cry- 
ing, '  Christ  shall  have  the  victory  !  '  Mr.  J.,  the  husband 
of  Mrs.  J.,  before  mentioned,  who  also  meets  in  my  class,  and 
who  knew  J.  A.  well,  told  me,  the  other  evenmg,  that  it  was 
his  decided  impression,  that  night  he  was  at  chapel,  that  un- 
less he  was  awakened  that  very  evening,  '  the  Lord  would 
visit  him  in  judgment,  and  make  an  example  of  him.'  He  also 
stated  that,  as  nearly  as  he  could  calculate,  the  time  when 
you  exclaimed,  '  Christ  would  gain  the  victory ! '  was  just  at 
the  moment  J.  A.  began  to  relent." 

Another  letter  lies  before  me,  bearmg  date  the  4th  instant, 


GLORIOUS    WORK   OF    GOD    IN   HULL.  349 

in  which  there  is  a  deeply  affecting  account  of  the  death  of 
a  joung  man,  of  which  the  follo^Ying  is  the  substance  :  — 

He  was  present,  it  seems,  at  the  watch-night  service,  at 
Waltham  Street  chapel,  when  I  preached  from  that  text, 
"  This  year  thou  shalt  die  ;  "  but  he  resisted  the  influence 
which  attended  that  sermon,  and  turned  away  his  ear  from 
the  call.  When  the  letter  was  written,  they  had  laid  him 
in  his  coffin,  ready  for  interment  the  next  day. 

It  appears,  that  about  twenty-seven  days  after  he  heard 
the  warning,  he  was  taken  with  a  bad  headache  in  the  night. 
Next  day  he  lost  the  use  of  both  legs ;  the  work  of  death 
proceeded  most  rapidly.  He  endured  great  pain,  and  was 
in  extreme  anguish.  This  continued  five  days.  During  his 
affliction,  he  would  answer  no  question  about  his  eternal 
state,  until  he  was  very  much  pressed  to  it ;  and  then  the 
reply  was,  he  hoped  to  get  better,  and  that  if  God  would 
spare  him  he  would  lead  a  new  life.  Toward  the  closing 
scene,  he  desired  prayer  to  be  offered  for  him,  and  died. 

"  He  was  a  child  of  praying  parents,"  says  the  letter, 
"  and  his  mother  is  now  in  glory.  When  he  heard  you,  he 
was  full  of  life  and  vigor,  and  as  likely  to  live,  ten  days  ago, 
as  any  man  you  could  look  upon.  I  believe  that,  at  least, 
he  died  a  true  penitent.  These  statements  come  from  evi- 
dence which  is  most  unquestionable.     He  now  lies  about  two 

hundred  yards  from chapel ;  and  as  some  of  his  friends 

may  hear   you  to-night,  you  will  use   your  discretion   in 
bringing  it  forward,  as  they  feel  deeply  on  the  subject. 
"  Your  humble  brother  in  Christ, 

H.  G." 

I  am  sure  you  will  be  gratified  to  read  the  following  letter 
from  another  class-leader :  — 
30 


350  GLORIOUS    WORK   OF    GOD    12^   HULL. 

"  Dear  and  Rev.  Sir  : 

"  The  purport  of  this  letter  serves  to  inform  you  of  a 
circumstance  which  must  be  both  pleasing  and  profitable  to 
3^ou.  Yesterday  I  ^vas  waited  upon  bj  the  bi-arcr,  and 
requested  to  attend  the  '  dying  bed '  of  a  young  woman, 
Hannah  Jackson,  a;2;ed  eighteen,  for  the  purpose  of  writing 
a  few  words  from  her  lips  to  you ;  which  I  did,  and  found 
her  perfectly  happy  in  the  love  of  God,  and  triumphant  in 
her  last  conflict. 

"  She  desired  me  to  tell  you  how  happy  she  was  ;  —  that 
on  the  14th  of  last  January  she  was  awakened  under  one 
of  your  sermons,  to  a  sense  of  her  lost  condition ;  and  that, 
after  enduring  much  misery  on  account  of  her  sins,  she 
found  peace  with  God,  through  faith  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month ;  that  shortly  after,  it 
pleased  the  Lord  to  afflict  her  unto  death,  but  having  obtained 
mercy,  she  could  now,  on  the  verge  of  the  eternal  world,  read 
her  title  clear  to  a  heavenly  mansion.  I  then  promised  her 
that  you  should  have  this  communication ;  and  in  about  an 
hour  she  died,  triumphing  in  her  Redeemer's  love. 

^  '  0,  may  Ave  triumph  so, 

When  all  our  conflict 's  past ! ' 

"  And  now,  my  dear  Sir,  having  given  you  a  brief  account 
of  the  above,  and  thus  fulfilled  my  promise,  I  will  not  occupy 
more  of  your  precious  time,  but  conclude  by  wishing  you 
may  be  made  the  happy  instrument,  in  God's  hands,  of 
plucking  many  more  brands  from  the  burning,  and  that  they 
may  be  as  stars  in  the  cro^Yn  of  your  rejoicing. 

"  I  remain,  in  great  haste,  your  sincere  friend  and  brother 
in  Christ, 

Henry  Cox." 

"Rev.  J.  Caughey." 


GLORIOUS    WORK   OF    GOD   IN   HULL.  351 

On  Thursday  night,  the  17th  instant,  we  held  a  meeting 
for  the  benefit  of  the  new  converts,  in  Waltham  Street 
chapel.  In  consequence  of  many  being  in  the  employment 
of  others,  some  also  unavoidably  detained  by  their  own 
business,  and  several  belonging  to  country  circuits,  who 
could  not  attend,  there  were  not  so  many  present  as  some 
expected.  Three  hundred  and  fifty  persons  came  forward 
to  the  altar,  and  in  the  clearest  manner  declared  they  had 
obtained  a  conscious  knowledge  of  the  forgiveness  of  sins, 
through  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  during  the  progress 
of  the  revival  in  Waltham  Street  chapel.  The  Rev.  Thomas 
Martin,  and  one  of  his  colleagues,  the  Rev.  William  Hurt, 
spoke  to  each  person  separately,  and  expressed  themselves 
fully  satisfied  with  their  experience,  and  exliorted  them,  in 
the  most  efiectual  and  pathetic  manner,  to  hold  fast  the 
beginning  of  their  confidence  steadfast  unto  the  end.  It 
was,  indeed,  a  gracious  season.  Such  weeping,  praying, 
and  rejoicing,  I  have  seldom  seen.  More  than  two  hundred 
persons  came  forward  to  be  prayed  for,  after  the  ncAV  converts 
had  retired  to  their  seats. 

The  following  night,  I  preached  on  the  influence  of  a  long 
enjoyment  of  holiness  in  this  life  upon  our  heavenly  state. 
A  large  number  obtained  an  inheritance  among  those  that 
are  sanctified  by  faith.     Acts  xxvi.  18. 

Numerous  cases  of  restitution  have  lately  occurred,  from 
the  small  sum  of  a  few  shillings,  ranging  upwards  to  fifty 
pounds  sterling ;  but  I  fear  a  relation  of  the  circumstances 
connected  with  each  case  would  be  tedious  and  uninterest- 
ing. I  am  sure,  however,  you  will  rejoice  with  me,  and 
these  precious  English  Christians,  who  take  a  hearty  interest 
in  this  wonderful  revival,  as  well  as  with  the  angelic  host,  in 
"  the  growing  empire  of  our  King."  My  soul  is  very  happy 
in  God.     A  revival  is  the  element  in  which  I  deUght  to 


352  GLORIOUS   WORK   OP   GOD   IN  HULL. 

breathe  ;  but  all  bell,  as  a  matter  of  course ^  is  set  in  arms 
against  my  innovations.  The  devil  is  performing,  in  these 
days,  several  extraordinary  evolutions  to  counteract  aggres- 
sive movements.  The  design  seems  to  be,  a  vigorous  effort 
to  hedge  up  my  way  by  prejudicing  the  minds  of  some  good 
men.  Many  reports  are  afloat  that  I  have  effected  a  separ 
ration  between  the  American  church  and  myself.  Letters 
reach  me  from  various  quarters,  that  some  intend  to  make 
my  way  rough  in  England.  *  My  answer  to  those  who 
trouble  me  is,  they  cannot  do  it  and  prosper,  unless  God 
permit ;  and  even  then  their  eye  must  be  single. 

My  soul  is  sweetly  assured,  that  no  weapon  that  is  formed 
against  me  shall  prosper ;  but,  if  wielded  through  envy,  or 
jealousy,  or  any  unreasonable  dislike,  and  contrary  to  the 
single  eye^  which  regards  the  glory  of  God  only,  the  Lord 
will  bring  it,  and  the  hand  that  wields  it,  into  confusion. 

*  As  if  God  designed  it  for  a  providential  defence  of  Jlr.  Caughey  against 
these  malevolent  opposers  of  revivals,  the  following  letter  from  the  venerable 
Bishop  Hedding,  reached  him  a  few  months  after,  and  greatly  strengthened 
him  against  his  foes.  —  Ed. 

"  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  U.  S.,  April  23,  1844. 
"  Rev.  James  Caughey  : 

"  My  dear  Brother,  —  Your  letter  to  the  Rev.  E.  Chichester  now  lies 
before  me.  I  am  thankful  for  the  great  work  God  has  wrought  through  your 
labors  in  Ii-eland  and  England. 

"  You  were  regularly  located,  at  your  own  request,  as  a  minister  in  good 
standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  by  act  of  the  Troy  Annual  Con- 
ference, of  which  you  were  a  member.  And  if  you  return  to  this  country, 
with  proper  testimonials  of  j'our  good  conduct,  you  would  be  joyfully  received 
as  a  member  of  the  Conference  and  a  regular  travelling  preacher,  as  such 
location  and  return  to  the  travelling  connection  is  perfectly  consistent  with 
our  rulos  and  usages. 

"  Thousands  would  rejoice  to  see  you  return,  and  unite  with  us  again  in  the 
work  of  God  in  this  country. 

"  The  work  of  God  prospers  in  this  land.  May  God  bless  and  prosper  you 
wherever  you  labor ! 

"  Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ, 

"Elijah  Hedding." 


GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL.  353 

This  is  my  heritage  of  the  Lord.  This  he  has  promised  me, 
and  in  him  I  trust.  The  cause  is  his,  and  I  shall  keep  to 
the  one  thing  for  -which  he  sent  me  out  —  the  conversion  of 
sinners  to  himself;  and  shall  leave  the  weight  of  such  mat- 
ters to  him.  I  am  ready  to  leave  England,  and  to  return 
to  America,  upon  the  least  clear  intimation  from  Heaven. 
Here  I  rest  my  cause.  It  has  been  suggested  to  my  mind, 
perhaps  the  Lord  is  now  about  to  thrust  me  back  from 
whence  I  came,  seeing  that  the  work  is  accomplished  he  hath 
sent  me  over  to  perform.  Let  my  gracious  Lord  determine, 
and  I  stand  ready  gladly  to  obey.  Cheerfully  would  I  haste 
away  across  the  mighty  deep,  could  I  but  clearly  see  the 
will  of  my  divine  Master;  but  my  conscience  stands  in 
dread  of  the  consequences  of  retreating  from  these  kingdoms 
before  the  Lord  has  signed  and  sealed  my  passport. 

We  commenced  a  series  of  services  in  another  chapel  on 
the  Hull  West  Circuit,  —  Great  Thornton  Street  chapel, — 
on  Sabbath,  18th  instant ;  and  since  then,  about  one  hun- 
dred sinners  have  been  converted  to  God,  and  about  fifty 
sanctified  throughout  —  soul,  body,  and  spirit. 

On  Monday,  the  25th  instant,  an  old  man,  nearly  seventy 
years  of  age,  called  upon  me  for  advice.  He  stated  that, 
during  several  months  past,  he  had  been  tempted,  in  the 
most  uncontrollable  manner,  to  commit  murder,  by  way 
of  vengeance.  An  individual,  it  seems,  in  this  town,  had 
wronged  him  in  some  lawsuit,  by  which  he  lost  his  character, 
and  it  had  driven  him  to  desperation.  "  When  I  pass  him 
upon  the  street,"  said  the  old  man,  "  I  turn  round,  and  pray 
that  all  the  curses  contained  in  the  one  hundred  and  ninth 
Psalm  may  fall  upon  him  and  his  family.  A  few  days  ago," 
he  added,  '^  when  walking  on  the  Pier  Head,  I  prepared 
myself  to  attempt  his  and  my  own  destruction ;  and  had  he 
not  at  the  moment  linked  arms  with  another  gentleman,  I 
30* 


354  GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

should  have  clasped  him  in  my  arms,  and  leaped  with  him 
into  the  Humber.  A  short  time  since,  I  loaded  a  pistol, 
and  waylaid  him,  and  would  have  blown  his  brains  out,  had 
he  not  escaped  me  by  taking  another  way." 

Poor  man !  I  endeavored  to  draw  aside  the  veil ;  and 
God  enabled  me  to  show  his  amazed  conscience  how  a 
malignant  devil  had  been  operating  in  the  dark,  and  with  a 
settled  and  infernal  purpose  of  bringing  him  to  an  ignomini- 
ous end,  and  his  soul  into  a  terrible  hell.  "  My  aged 
man !  you  are  a  sinner,  and  you  know  it.  Your  own  tres- 
passes against  God  have  been  great  and  many ;  and,  be 
assured,  if  you  cannot  forgive  a  fellow  creature  his  oJ0fences 
against  you,  neither  will  God  forgive  yours  against  him. 
With  the  Lord's  Prayer,  I  presume,  you  are  familiar;  — 
forget  not  that  part  of  it,  *  Forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we 
forgive  them  that  trespass  against  us.'  Remember,  also,  my 
dear  Sir,  that  this  is  the  only  passage  in  that  beautiful 
prayer  upon  which  our  Saviour  thought  proper  to  make  any 
comment ;  and  what  he  says  is  most  emphatic :  '  for,  if  ye 
forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neither  will  your  Father 
forgive  your  trespasses.'  Leave  the  matter  with  God.  Pray 
for  your  enemy,  but  avenge  not  yourself,  or  you  will  bring 
your  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  and  dishonor  to  the  grave ; 
neither  give  place  unto  wrath ;  because  it  is  written,  '  Ven- 
geance belongeth  unto  me,  and  I  will  recompense,  saith  the 
Lord.'     *  Resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  flee  from  you.'  " 

After  prayer,  he  departed,  solemnly  aifected,  and  I  tinist, 
either  delivered  from  his  purpose,  or  at  least  firmly  resolved 
to  struggle  against  the  horrible  impulse.  Who  can  tell  but 
this  conversation  may  save  two  souls  from  perdition  ?  —  and 
this  is  worth  my  visit  to  Hull. 

You  will  be  gratified  to  learn,  that  the  Lord  continues  his 
great  goodness  to  me,  with  regard  to  providing  me  comfort- 


GLORIOUS   WORK   OF   GOD   IN  HULL.  355 

able  homes  in  a  strange  land.  At  the  house  of  Mr.  Wilham 
Field,  Market  Place,  Mr.  West,  Holderness  Road,  Mr. 
James  Crow,  Beverly  Road,  and  at  the  mansion  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Holmes,  where  I  am  at  present,  I  have  been  enter- 
tained in  a  most  hospitable  manner.  In  the  lovely  famihes 
of  these  kind  and  generous  friends,  I  have  enjoyed  every 
comfort  I  could  desire.  May  the  God  of  grace  and  provi- 
dence rcAvard  them  for  their  great  kindness  to  me,  liis 
unworthy  servant ! 

I  have,  also,  since  the  beginning  of  the  year,  spent  a  few 
weeks  in  the  house  of  the  Rev.  William  lUingworth,  one 
of  the  ministers  on  the  East  Circuit.  With  him  and  his 
devoted  wife  I  enjoyed  much  of  the  presence  of  God, 
"  the  communion  of  saints,  the  fellowship  of  kindred  minds," 
in  a  very  high  degree. 

*'  0,  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor, 
Daily  I'm  constrained  to  be  !  " 

I  cannot  ex]:>ress  my  circumstances  and  state  of  mind  better, 
than  in  the  words  of  Bishop  Hall :  "  There  is  a  holy 
carelessness,  free  from  idleness,  free  from  distrust." 

You  have  heard  of  the  pecuhar  beauty  of  the  English 
hoarfrost.  A  few  mornings  since,  when  enjoying  a  walk 
into  the  country,  I  was  favored  with  a  rare  opportunity  of 
observing  this  transitory,  yet  wonderful  production  of  nature, 
"  frost-work  fair,  where  transient  hues,  and  fancied  figures 
rise."  Every  branch,  and  slender  twig  of  tree,  thorn,  and 
shrub ;  each  herb,  leaf,  and  blade  of  grass,  was  adorned 
with  those  light  and  feathery,  all-pervading,  "myriads  of 
little  salts,  or  hooked,  or  shaped,  the  various  labors  of  the 
silent  night ; "  as  if  ui  imitation  of  all  that  "vernal  sun" 
awakes  on  "  forest  bough  or  bladed  field,"  when  moist  with 
the  "  light-footed  dews  "  of  summer's  earliest  morn.     The 


356  GLORIOUS   WORK    OF   GOD   IN   HULL. 

atmosphere  was  still  and  pure,  and  the  soft  and  filmy  veil 
"vvhich  obscured  the  skj,  protected  the  fairy  scene  from 
being  dissipated  or  destroyed  too  soon  by  the  rays  of  the 
ascending  sun. 

My  soul  was  very  happy  in  beholding  this  lovely  scene. 
Every  object  contributed  to  fill  my  soul  with  gratitude  and 
joy  ;  and  God  had  all  my  heart.  Sometimes  my  joy  in  God 
was  ecstatic ;  but  it  was  not  that  kind  of  joy  which,  as  a 
fine  writer  says,  "  Often  usurps  the  name  of  joy ;  a  trivial, 
vanishing,  superficial  thing,  that  only  gilds  the  apprehension, 
and  plays  upon  the  surface  of  the  soul ;  not  the  mere  crack- 
ling of  thorns  under  a  pot,  a  sudden  blaze  of  the  spirits,  the 
exultation  of  a  tickled  fancy  or  a  pleased  appetite ; "  it 
penetrated  my  nature,  and  diffused  itself  throughout  my 
soul.  Apart  from  the  splendor  of  nature  around  me,  "  it 
was  the  result  of  a  real  good  suitably  applied  ;  it  was  a  joy 
that  feasted  upon  the  solidities  of  truth,  and  the  substance 
of  fruition;  it  filled  the  soul  as  God  does  the  universe  ;"  I 
cannot  say  "  silently  and  without  noise,"  for  there  was  a 
shout  now  and  again,  "  refreshing  and  composing  as  the 
mirth  of  a  festival  with  the  silence  of  contemplation." 

We  shall  resume  the  subject  of  the  Hull  revival  in  the 
next  chapter. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

SCENES  AND   INCIDENTS   OF  THE  HULL  REVIVAL. 

"  Before  honor  is  humility,"  saith  the  Eternal  Word. 
Mr.  Caughej's  experience  in  Hull  affords  a  fine  illustration 
of  this  truth.  His  opening  efforts  there  were  despised  and 
almost  rejected.  His  humbled  heart  sunk  to  its  lowliest 
attitude  ;  feeling  anew  its  long-abiding  conviction,  that  man 
alone  is  nothing  —  God  every  thing  !  His  prayers,  exhor- 
tations, and  sermons  inspired  the  praying  men  of  the  church 
with  the  same  powerful  idea.  They  called  upon  God  like 
men  who  meant  what  they  expressed,  and  who  felt  all  they 
acknowledged.  This  was  meeting  God  on  his  own  terms, 
and  never  did  Jehovah  honor  the  faith  of  the  creature  ha  a 
more  marked  manner  than  he  did  in  some  of  the  wonderful 
scenes  of  the  Hull  revival.  Let  the  minister  or  layman,  who 
reads  this  chapter,  keep  these  views  before  him,  and  he  may 
learn  a  precious  lesson  which  may  yield  fruit  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  God.  But  we  will  again  suffer  Mr.  Caughey 
to  relate  his  own  story  :  — 

You  will  glorify  God  when  I  inform  you  that  the  revival 
is  still  going  on  in  Hull  with  increasing  power.  Hundreds 
of  sinners  have  been  converted  to  God  since  the  date  of  my 
last  to  you.  The  devil  has  been  showing  his  teeth,  also,  and 
roaring  ;  but  he  has  neither  liberty  to  bite  nor  devour 


The  withered,  dark,  defeated  mind, 
That  curses  Heaven  and  scorns  mankind.' 


35T 


358     SCENES   AND    INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

One  of  the  Hull  newspapers  has  lent  its  columns  to  attack 
me,  and  calls  upon  the  authorities  of  the  town  to  interfere, 
and  put  me  down.  The  gentlemen,  however,  have  better 
sense,  and  too  much  of  the  fear  of  God,  to  meddle  with  the 
work  in  which  I  am  engaged.  Some  of  the  wicked  have 
threatened  to  "  drum  me  out  of  the  town  ; "  but  their  pru- 
dence, it  would  seem,  has  questioned  the  propriety  of  obeying 
this  mandate  of  the  devil  to  the  letter ;  so  the  matter  has 
been  deferred  in  the  councils  of  the  ungodly.  Chagrined 
that  he  cannot  command  physical  force,  by  raismg  a  mob,  as 
in  former  times,  the  evil  one  vents  his  spleen  through  the 
medium  of  anonymous  letters,  most  of  which  are  impudent 
and  insulting,  beyond  any  thing  you  can  imagine.  But  none 
of  these  things  move  me.  A  good  fire  in  the  grate  soon  re- 
duces these  harmless  missiles  to  ashes ;  and,  when  blazing  there, 
my  prayer  ascends  to  heaven,  that  these  silly  dupes  of  the 
devil  may  never  burn  in  hell.  Now,  I  consider  this  excellent 
revenge  on  Satan  ;  because  God  is  able  to  overrule  such  cow- 
ardly and  malignant  scrawls,  for  the  awakening  and  conversion 
of  the  scribblers.  I  have  known  the  wicked  become  fright- 
ened with  the  daringness  of  their  folly,  and  return  quickly  to 
their  offended  God,  "  lest  they  should  get  into  hell  before  the 
time." 

Now  and  then  there  is  a  letter  displaying  considerable 
talent,  as  if  Apollyon  had  a  little  vanity  in  showing  that  he 
has  minds  under  his  control  far  superior  to  the  other  scur- 
rilous dogs,  whom  he  usually  employs  to  do  his  dirtiest  work. 

Some  occasionally  throw  down  the  gauntlet,  and  invite  me 
into  the  arena  of  controversy ;  but  my  reply  irritates  both 
the  sinners  and  their  masters  :  "  I  am  doing  a  great  work,  so 
THAT  I  CANNOT  COME  DOWN :  why  should  the  work  cease, 
whilst  I  leave  it,  and  come  down  to  you  ?  "     Neh.  vi.  3. 

We  may  say  of  this  revival,  as  a  certain  learned  judge 


SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.     359 

said  of  justice ;  that  though  opposed,  and  in  some  measure, 
retarded  by  interested  };arties,  yet  it  is  Hke  a  river,  which, 
though  its  surface  is  broken  and  ruffled  into  waves  by 
contrary  and  boisterous  winds,  yet  holds  on  its  way  with 
resistless  force.  All  the  opposition  of  men  or  devils  seems 
incapable  of  interposing  any  effectual  barrier  against  its 
triumphant  progress.  Hallelujah  !  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ  "  in  Hull,  "  for  it  is  the" power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth." 

The  trutli  of  the  living  God  in  its  burning  power,  is  being 
thrown  among  sinners  daily.  Some  of  the  hottest  shot 
from  the  magazines  of  Immanuel  have  been  cast  into  their 
intrenchments ;  and  the  execution  has  been  tremendous. 
The  roaring  of  the  artillery  has  no  sooner  ceased,  than  the 
cries  of  the  wounded,  supplicating  for  mercy,  are  heard  on 
every  side,  until  my  soul  has  trembled  before  the  Lord  God 
of  hosts.  Ah  !  the  human  mind  is  a  fearful  thing.  And  I 
have  thought,  in  the  midst  of  the  uproar  of  terrified  sinners, 
that  if  the  living  coals  of  eternal  truth,  scattered  over  the 
naked  consciences  of  the  ungodly,  produce  such  effects, 
even  though  there  is  hope  throughout  their  agonies,  and 
their  ears  are  filled  with  the  cheering  accents  of  the  gospel, 
from  the  lips  of  so  many  servants  of  God,  how  terrible, 
then,  must  the  effect  of  hell  fire  be,  when  long  resisted 
Truth  shall  call  upon  eternity  to  vindicate  its  rights ! 

On  the  night  of  the  6th  instant,  in  Great  Thornton  Street 
chapel,  an  exhortation  was  given  before  the  text,  on  the 
absolute  necessity  of  an  increase  of  the  spirit  of  prayer 
among  the  people  of  God,  in  order  to  the  continuance  of  the 
revival.  My  soul  was  burdened  and  pressed  down  before 
the  Lord,  and  I  could  only  find  relief,  by  telling  them  all 
that  was  in  my  heart  —  all  that  I  considered  as  standing  in 
the  way  of  a  larger  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.     The 


360     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

Lord  helped  me  to  speak  words  of  fire,  and  that  declaration 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  accompanied  with  uncommon  power, 
"  for  as  soon  as  Zion  travailed,  she  brought  forth  her  child- 
ren.'' Isaiah  Ixvi.  8.  The  congregation  was  then  requested 
to  kneel  down,  and  spend  a  few  minutes  in  silent  prayer. 
Nearly  all  bowed,  and  the  spirit  of  agonizing  prayer  came 
down  upon  the  people  in  a  wonderful  manner.  Ten  minutes 
had  scarcely  elapsed,  when  the  cries  of  penitent  sinners 
began  to  mingle  with  the  earnest  pleadings  of  God's  servants. 
The  hand  of  the  Lord  rested  upon  the  entire  audience. 
None  moved  from  the  place,  though  some  looked  unutterable 
things.  Earnest  prayer  ascended  from  almost  every  part 
of  the  chapel,  even  from  the  galleries,  to  a  perfect  tempest 
of  human  voices.  Zion  was  now  travailing  for  the  salvation 
of  sinners,  and  we  were  afraid  to  interfere.  We  left  the 
people  safe  with  God  ;  although  he  seemed  to  say,  "  Let  me 
go,  for  the  day  breaketh."  "  They  cannot  let  thee  go,  my 
Lord !  Hear,  0  hear  their  cries,  my  gracious  Master !  Hast 
thou  not  said,  '  Agonize  to  enter  m  at  the  strait  gate :  for 
many,  I  say  unto  you,  will  seek  to  enter  in,  and  shall  not  be 
able  ? '  And  hast  thou  not  declared,  '  The  kingdom  of 
heaven  suffereth  violence,'  —  that  is,  permits  it,  invites  to  it, 
'  and  the  violent  take  it  by  force  ?  '  So  far  from  spurning 
away  the  eager  multitude,  or  resisting  their  vehemence  as 
irreverent,  and  derogatory  to  the  glory  of  thy  divine  Majes- 
ty, thou  must,  thou  wilt  let  them  '  take  the  blessing  from 
above,'  that  they  may  '  wonder  at  thy  boundless  love,'  — 
that  they  may  adore  thy  matchless  benevolence  and  love,  in 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

*  Their  powerful  groans  thou  canst  not  bear, 
Nor  stand  the  violence  of  their  prayer, — 
Their  prayer  omnipotent.' " 

The  visitation  lasted  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.    I 


SCENES   AND    INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.    361 

watched  the  amazing  scene  with  holy  awe  and  indescribable 
emotion,  till  the  many  hundreds  of  voices  seemed  to  have 
arrived  at  that  point  peculiar  to  prevailing  prayer  —  when 
it  appeared  as  if  God  was  speaking  to  each  stormy  soul, 
"  Peace,  be  still !  —  what  is  thy  name  ?  —  what  wilt  thou 
that  I  should  do  for  thee  ?  "  And  from  the  gradual  descent 
and  mellowing  tones  of  many  voices,  —  softening  down  like 
"  the  noise  of  many  waters,"  —  there  could  be  no  doubt,  their 
subdued  answers  received  his  approbation,  and  that  he  was 
saying  to  every  wrestling  Jacob,  "  Be  it  unto  thee  even  as 
thou  wilt ;  thy  name  shall  be  no  more  Jacob,  but  Israel  : 
for,  as  a  prince,  hast  thou  power  with  God  and  with  men, 
and  hast  prevailed."     Gen.  xxxii.  28. 

At  this  moment,  the  powerful  organ,  accompanied  by  the 
voices  of  a  triumphant  multitude,  pealed  forth,  — 

"  See  how  great  a  flame  aspires, 
Kindled  by  a  spark  oC  grace  ! 
Jesu's  love  the  nation  fires, 

Sets  the  kingdoms  in  a  blaze  : 
To  bring  fire  on  earth  he  came; 
Kindled  in  some  hearts  it  is  : 
O  that  all  might  catch  the  flame, 
>  All  partake  the  glorious  bliss !  " 

The  chapel  was  filled  with  the  glory  of  God,  and  every 
face  wore  the  heavenly  expression,  "  Lo,  God  is  here  !  But 
how  dreadful  is  this  place  !  This  is  none  other  than  the 
house  of  God,  and  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven."  Gen. 
xxviii.  17. 

Some  there  were,  it  is  true,  who  yet  groaned,  "  0 
wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the 
body  of  this  death  ?  God  have  mercy  upon  me,  a  sinner  !  " 
But,  before  the  meeting  closed,  they  also  were  enabled  to 
rejoice  in  a  pardoning  God. 
31 


362     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS   OF  THE   HULL  EEVIVAL. 

A  few  days  ago  I  received  the  following  affecting  letter 
from  an  inhabitant  of  this  town :  — - 

"Hull,  March  11, 1844. 

"  Rev.   Sir,  —  Having  received  information  that  you 

desired  to  have  some  account  of  the  death  of  our  beloved 

son,  George  Young,  we  proceed  to  give  it ;  but  first  allow  us 

to  state  what,  I  am  sure,  will  be  deeply  interesting  to  you. 

"  On  the  12th  December  last,  while  sitting  under  your 
sermon,  from  tliis  text,  '  This  year  thou  shalt  die,'  it  pleased 
God  to  give  him  to  see  his  awful  condition  as  a  sinner.  From 
that  moment,  he  could  not  rest ;  and,  after  the  sermon,  he 
went  into  the  vestry,  and,  blessed  be  God,  peace  was  spoken 
to  his  soul,  through  faith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;  and,  up 
to  his  death,  I  believe  he  has  been  growing  in  grace  and 
in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  day  in  which  he  lost  his  life, 
(March  9th,  1844,)  he  left  home  for  the  factory,  singing, — 

'  This,  this  is  the  God  we  adore, 

Our  faithful,  unchangeable  Friend  ; 
Whose  love  is  as  great  as  his  power, 

And  neither  knows  measure  nor  end. 
'Tis  Jesus,  the  First  and  the  Last, 

Whose  Spirit  shall  guide  us  safe  home  ; 
We'll  praise  him  for  all  that  is  past, 

And  trust  him  for  all  that 's  to  come.' 

He  entered  into  eternity  about  ten  minutes  past  nine  that 
same  morning. 

"  The  manner  of  his  death  was  as  follows :  We  have  been 
informed  by  the  overseer  of  the  mill,  that  there  is  a  shaft 
which  runs  from  one  end  of  the  room  to  the  other,  about 
three  feet  from  the  ceiling,  with  a  drum  attached  to  it. 
While  our  dear  son  was  in  the  act  of  putting  the  strap  upon 
this  drum,  his  hand  got  entangled  in  the  strap,  and  he  wa3 


SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   TUE   HULL   REVIVAL.     363 

taken  round  the  shaft,  which  is  a  horizontal  one,  going  at 
the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  revolutions  per 
minute,  as  near  as  could  be  calculated.  He  was  on  the 
shaft  about  one  minute  and  a  half,  so  that  he  could  not  have 
gone  round  less  than  two  hundred  times,  before  the  ma- 
chinery Avas  stopped ;  after  w^hich,  he  was  carried  to  the 
Hull  General  Infirmary,  pouring  out  his  soul  in  prayer  to 
God  —  not  to  be  relieved  from  his  bodily  sufferings,  but  to 
be  taken  home  to  heaven.  Medical  aid  was  immediately 
procured,  when  it  was  found  his  shoulder  blade  was  forced 
out  of  its  place,  liis  arm  broken  in  two  places,  also  his  thigh, 
foot,  and  ankle  —  all  broken,  and  his  body  most  dreadfully 
crushed,  so  that  the  sui*geon  gave  up  all  hopes  of  his 
recovery. 

"  "We,  his  parents,  followed  him  to  the  Infirmary,  and 
when  he  saw  us,  he  cried,  '  Father !  —  mother !  pray  for 
me  ; '  which  we  did.  We  inquired  with  deep  anxiety,  as  to 
the  state  of  his  soul ;  he  was  happy  in  the  love  of  God. 
'  Are  you  afraid  to  die,  my  dear  son  ? '  He  replied,  *  No : 
but  I  want  to  sleep ; '  then  added,  '  I  shall  sleep  in  the  arms 
of  Jesus.'  After  wliich,  he  prayed  repeatedly,  '  Lord,  take 
me  to  thyself ! '  and,  turning  his  eyes  towards  heaven,  he 
exclaimed,  '  Glory !  Glory ! '  and  expired. 

"He  was  m  his  sixteenth  year,  and  was  ever  a  most 
obedient  child.  In  the  year  1842,  he  became  a  Sabbath 
school  scholar  in  the  Drypool  Wesleyan  chapel — was  much 
respected  by  the  superintendents  and  teachers,  and  received 
a  copy  of  the  New  Testament,  as  a  premium  for  memorizing 
the  greater  part  of  the  Gospel  according  to  St.  John.  He 
used  to  repeat  between  twenty  and  thirty  verses  each  Sab- 
bath afternoon,  which  he  had  committed  to  memory  through 
the  week,  though  employed  from  six  in  the  morning  till  seven 
at  night.     He  accomplished  it  by  carrying  the  New  Testa- 


364     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

ment  always  in  his  pocket,  so  that  it  was  always  at  hand 
for  a  spare  moment.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan 
church  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

"  We  remain,  dear  Sir,  your  obedient  servants, 

"  Richard  and  Mary  Young." 

How  unsearchable  are  the  judgments  of  God,  and  his 
ways  are  past  finding  out !  What  a  frightful  death  to  come 
upon  one  but  newly  adopted  into  his  family  1  But  the  Judge 
of  all  the  earth  has  done  right.  "  Though  clouds  and  dark- 
ness are  round  about  him,  justice  and  judgment  are  the 
habitation  of  his  throne." 

Last  night  I  enjoyed  a  most  powerful  time,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  entire  sanctification.  About  fifty  professed  to  obtain 
salvation. 

The  Lord  is  very  good  to  my  soul.  Although  I  have 
various  temptations  and  threatenings  from  the  great  adver- 
sary of  God  and  man,  he  enables  me  often  to  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

"  I  have  a  secret  joy  that  flows 
Against  the  tide  of  common  overthrows  ; 
I  have  a  sealed,  sacred  peace, 
Beyond  the  power  of  hell,  sin,  and  disease  !  " 

I  am  glad  to  learn,  that  Mrs.  *  *  *  has  found  a  situation 
so  much  to  her  mind.  I  am  quite  of  the  opinion  of  that 
wise  Athenian,  who,  having  a  farm  to  sell,  directed  the  crier 
to  proclaim,  as  its  best  recommendation,  that  it  had  a  good 
neighborhood.  I  cannot  think  the  smallness  of  the  house 
any  great  disadvantage,  that  is,  if  there  be  sufificient  room 
for  herself  and  family,  and  some  to  spare  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  a  few  friends.  You  recollect  the  sentiment  of 
Socrates,  who,  when  asked  why  he  had  built  for  himself 
such  a  small  house,  repliedj  "  Small  as  it  is,  I  wish  I  could 


SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   UULL   KEVIVAL.     365 

fill  it  with  friends."  "  These,"  says  a  judicious  writer, 
"are  all  that  a  wise  man  can  desire  to  assemble;  for  a 
crowd  is  not  company,  and  faces  are  but  a  gallery  of  pic- 
tures, and  talk  but  a  tinkhng  cymbal,  where  there  is  no 
love."  "  I  confess,"  says  Cowley,  "I  love  littleness  almost 
in  all  things  ;  a  little  convenient  estate,  a  little  cheerful 
home,  a  little  company,  and  a  very  little  feast." 

What  follows  is  from  a  letter  to  his  sister,  and  carries  the 
history  of  his  movements  down  towards  the  close  of  April, 
1844. 

The  date  of  my  letter  shows  my  birth  month,'  (April.)  I 
have  just  been  thinking  of  the  sentiment  of  a  poet  in  refer- 
ence to  the  changeableness  of  April ;  and  although  it  is 
quite  inapplicable  to  the  present  weather,  as  it  is  the  most 
dehghtful  that  ever  cheered  the  heart  of  man,  and  has  been 
since  the  month  began,  yet,  from  the  varied  feelings  of  my 
unsteady  nature,  I  have  been  sometunes  superstitious  enough 
to  think  that  it  may  have  received  a  tinge  from  my  native 
April.     This  is  only  imaginary.     But  hear  the  poet:  — 

"  Checkered  your  native  month  appears, 
With  sunny  gleams,  and  cloudy  tears  ; 
'Tis  thus  the  world  our  trust  beguiles, 
Its  frowns  as  transient  as  its  smiles  ; 
Nor  pain  nor  pleasure  long  will  stay, 
For  life  is  but  an  April  day." 

On  the  night  of  the  8th  instant,  I  held,  as  usual,  a  private 
"  watch-night "  in  my  room.  I  anticipated  much  good  to 
my  soul  from  a  retrospect  of  the  past,  and  rene^ving  my 
resolutions  to  be  more  faithful  during  the  coming  year.  My 
mind,  however,  became  greatly  oppressed,  and  I  had  very 
httle  of  the  spii'it  of  prayer.  The  cause  of  this  I  could  not 
tell,  unless  it  arose  from  the  exhaustion  of  the  previous 
31* 


366     SCENES    AND    INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

Sabbath ;  as  mj  Mondays  are  sometimes  characterized  by 
this  feeling.  My  birthday  was  ushered  in  Avith  deep  humil- 
iation of  soul,  and  some  gratitude  to  God  for  the  mercies  of 
the  past  year  ;  but  neither  were  in  that  degree  which  my 
past  unfaithfulness,  and  the  goodness  of  my  gracious  and 
long-suflering  Lord,  demanded.  With  earnest  resolves  to  be 
more  faithful  and  more  entirely  devoted  to  him  the  coming 
year  of  my  life,  I  was  enabled  to  make  an  unreserved  dedi- 
cation of  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  to  the  service  of  that  God, 
whose  favor  is  better  than  life.  I  then  opened  on  the  fifth 
chapter  of  Daniel,  and  read  it  upon  my  knees,  with  very 
solemn  feelings. 

The  revival  is  advancing  with  great  power  in  this  town. 
We  are  now  holding  special  services  in  Great  Thornton 
Street  chapel,  which  is  the  fifth  chapel  I  have  visited  since 
my  arrival  in  Hull.  I  have  preached  in  the  above  chapel 
every  night,  with  the  exception  of  Mondays  and  Saturdays, 
durino;  the  last  eio;ht  or  nine  weeks.  On  the  3d  instant  we 
held  a  meeting  for  the  ncAv  converts,  similar  to  that  which  I 
described  to  you  in  my  letter  from  Cork.  There  were  pres- 
ent about  four  hundred  persons,  every  one  of  whom  was 
happy  in  the  pardoning  love  of  God.  This  may  give  you 
some  idea  of  the  rapidity  and  extent  of  the  work,  as  all 
these  were  converted  to  God  during  the  previous  eight  or 
nine  weeks ;  but  there  were  many  others,  who  had  found 
peace  during  the  same  time,  who  could  not  be  present  at 
this  meeting.  Some  were  detained  by  the  business  of  their 
employers,  some  with  their  own  business.  There  were, 
also,  several  sailors  saved,  who  had  gone  to  sea ;  four  in  one 
ship,  besides  nearly  one  hundred  from  the  country  circuits. 
Letters  from  some  of  these  were  read  in  the  meeting,  which 
produced  an  excellent  effect. 

On  Friday,  the  12th  instant,  I  delivered  a  temperance 


SCENES    AND    INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.     367 

lecture,  in  behalf  of  the  Hull  Total  Abstinence  Society,  in 
the  Town  Hall ;  the  mayor  having  kindly  granted  it  for  the 
occasion.  The  place  was  densely  crowded,  and  I  have 
seldom  seen  so  much  enthusiasm  manifested  in  a  good  cause, 
as  during  the  address.  The  Lord  blessed  me  exceedingly, 
and  gave  me  great  liberty  of  speech. 

At  the  close  of  the  lecture,  a  very  respectable  member 
of  the  Society  of  Friends  arose,  and,  in  the  midst  of  the 
most  profound  silence,  stated  that  he  was  a  dealer  in  British 
•wines,  in  the  town  of  Hull ;  that  he  had  had  sci-uples 
respecting  the  trade  for  some  time ;  that  some  had  asserted 
these  wines  were  not  intoxicating  in  their  qualities,  but  he 
knew  to  the  contrary.  "And  now,"  he  said,  '•  although  I 
shall  sustain  a  loss  in  the  abandonment  of  the  traffic,  yet  I 
shall  do  so  from  the  present  night.  I  have  a  quantity  of 
wine  in  my  cellar,  how  much,  or  what  the  value  I  am  not 
able  to  state  ;  but  I  cannot  sell  it,  and  be  consistent ; "  and 
turning  to  the  gentleman,  in  the  chair,  he  said,  "  Friend, 
thee  may  send  thy  horse  and  cart  for  it  to-morrow,  and  take 
it  away,  and  do  what  thee  pleases  with  it." 

The  effect  upon  the  assembled  multitudes  was  tremendous. 
A  few  minutes  after  this,  the  majority  of  the  meeting  were 
lifting  up  their  hands  to  heaven,  as  a  pledge,  that  from  that 
hour  they  renounced  the  use  of  all  intoxicating  drinks.  I 
have  no  doubt  that,  could  we  have  held  a  few  more  meetings 
of  a  similar  kind,  the  liquor  trade  and  intemperance  would 
have  received  a  blow  from  which  they  would  not  have 
recovered  for  a  long  time  to  come.  And  yet,  I  have  found 
some  good  people  lately,  who,  notwithstanding  that  the  hor- 
rors of  the  trade  and  of  the  habit  referred  to  are  staring 
them  in  the  face  daily,  would  have  seriously  deprecated  a 
series  of  such  temperance  meetings,  let  the  results  be  as 
they  might.     Poor  inconsistent  human  nature  !     We  must 


368     SCENES    AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

have  charity ;  but,  really,  it  requires  a  stretch  of  it  on 
behalf  of  those,  who,  for  fashion's  sake,  and  for  the  privilege 
of  sipping  a  little  wine,  and  treating  their  visitors  to  that 
which  may  prove  their  ruin,  as  it  has  done  to  hundreds  of 
thousands,  would  not  only  shut  themselves  out  from  taking 
any  part  in  this  great  and  glorious  temperance  reformation, 
but  weaken  the  hands  of  those  who  are  engaged  in  its  pro- 
motion. But  this  is  not  all.  Such  persons  not  only  cripple 
themselves  from  doing  any  thing  to  help  it  forward,  but,  for 
consistency's  sake,  they  are  absolutely  forced  into  opposition 
to  what,  in  their  secret  consciences,  they  cannot  but  allow 
to  be  the  safest  and  speediest  method  to  dry  up  this  principal 
source  of  all  the  poverty  and  crime,  and  of  the  physical, 
mental,  and  moral  degradation,  which  scourges  our  unhappy 
world,  in  the  nineteenth  century. 

Many  undertake  to  lecture  me  upon  the  injury  they  ap- 
prehend my  health  is  sustaining,  from  not  helping  myself  to 
a  little  wine,  in  time  of  exhaustion.  My  reply  is,  I  seldom 
feel  any  thing  of  the  kind  since  I  renounced  the  use  of 
alcoholic  stimulants  ;  but  when  I  do  feel  any  thing  hke  feeble- 
ness, a  little  rest,  with  some  nourishing  food,  and  some  simple 
drink,  such  as  milk,  water,  or  a  cup  of  tea  or  coffee,  very 
soon  elevate  "  tired  nature  "  into  the  proper  tone,  without 
goading  it  with  alcohol.  It  is  with  these  intoxicating  drinks, 
as  with  physic  ;  accustom  nature  to  them,  and  she  will  grad- 
ually cease  to  depend  upon  her  own  resources,  and  will  rely 
upon  what  is  unnatural  and  artificial.  "  But  you  will  yet  be 
forced  to  come  down  from  those  elevated  sentiments,"  say 
some,  "  and  use  a  httle  wine  for  your  stomach's  sake,  and 
your  often  infirmities."  Be  it  so  ;  and  were  it  ordered  me 
by  a  physician,  I  might  be  induced  to  take  it  as  a  medicine 
for  a  time,  if  nothing  else  would  do.  Nor,  in  such  a  case, 
would  it  be  fair  for  any  one  to  say  I  had  abandoned  the  prin- 


SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS   OF  THE  HULL  KEVIVAL.    369 

ciple.  But  I  certainly  would  cease  from  the  medicine  as 
soon  as  possible,  or  set  myself  down  as  a  ''  confirmed  in- 
valid." Let  my  future  course  be  as  it  may,  I  intend 
to  take  the  stand  occupied  by  the  devoted  Timothy,  who 
would  not  taste  a  single  drop  of  wine,  except  at  the  sac- 
rament, till  ordered  by  the  highest  authority  in  the  church 
—  St.  Paul  —  not  as  a  beverage,  but  as  a  medicine.  Now, 
perhaps,  if  the  apostle  were  upon  the  earth,  and  acquainted 
with  my  constitution,  and  with  the  nature  of  the  wines  and 
other  intoxicating  drinks  sold  in  these  kingdoms,  he  would 
lay  just  as  positive  an  injunction  upon  James  Caughey,  that, 
for  his  "stomach's  sake  "  he  must  refrain  from  their  use  en- 
tirely. But,  as  I  do  not  expect  to  enjoy  a  correspondence 
with  St.  Paul  till  I  meet  him  in  heaven,  I  am  not  to  be 
blamed  if  I  stand  as  firm  by  my  tee-total  principles  as  did 
heavenly-minded  Timothy,  till  convinced  by  an  authority,  if 
not  so  high,  yet  such  as  my  reason  must  respect. 

If  any  man  in  Europe  has  given  tee-totalism  a  fair  trial,  I 
have  done  so,  during  those  extraordinary  labors  in  which 
I  have  been  so  long  engaged.  My  health,  thank  God,  was 
never  better,  nor  my  spirits  in  a  liveher  state,  than  at  present. 
Nor  shall  I,  without  the  most  convincing  reasons,  lay  down  a 
great  moral  power  which  God  has  given  me  in  the  ranks  of 
my  temperance  brethren.  Instead  of  croaking  and  whining 
over  the  real  or  supposed  errors  or  inconsistencies  of  some  of 
the  tee-totallers,  in  substituting  the  principle  for  religion,  and 
usinsr  harsh  lan^uacre  and  measures,  where  milder  would  be 
more  effective,  I  will  plunge  in  among  them,  as  thorough- 
going a  tee-totaller  as  any  of  them  —  convince,  if  possible, 
my  beloved  friends,  where  they  may  be  wrong,  and  neu- 
tralize their  errors  by  the  eternal  truths  of  Christianity. 
But  this  they  never  would  allow,  were  they  suspicious  of 
my  being  in  the  habit  of  taking  these  intoxicating  drinks. 


370    SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

Now,  I  do  consider  this  a  very  valuable  'vantage  ground ; 
nor  shall  I  abandon  it  without  the  strongest  reasons. 

On  Sabbath,  the  14th  instant,  I  returned  to  the  Kingston 
chapel,  and  spent  the  day  there,  preaching  twice.  The 
crowd  of  people  was  amazing.  Many  could  not  get  in,  and 
went  away.  In  the  afternoon,  we  had  a  prayer  meeting. 
The  lower  part  of  the  chapel  was  full,  and  there  were  many 
in  the  gallery. 

In  a  certain  part  of  the  meeting,  while  the  congregation 
was  standing,  and  the  altar-rail  was  encompassed  by  penitents, 
the  people  were  addressed  upon  the  necessity  of  an  immediate 
and  universal  cry  to  God  for  a  more  copious  outpouring  of 
tiie  Holy  Spirit.  The  exhortation  was  short — only  about 
three  minutes  —  but  to  the  point,  and  full  of  divine  unction. 
"  And  now,"  said  the  exhorter,  "  down  upon  your  knees, 
every  man,  woman,  and  child  of  you."  Here  ensued  one 
of  the  most  majestic  scenes  I  ever  witnessed  —  a  simultane- 
ous motion  of  more  than  one  thousand  people,  struggling  to 
get  to  their  knees  —  some  half  bent,  others  rapidly  moving 
in  that  position,  to  find  a  place  to  kneel.  They  seemed,  in 
fact,  like  an  army  rushing  to  battle.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Thomp- 
son remarked  to  me,  as  we  were  standing  together  in  the 
reading  desk  at  the  moment,  that  it  was  one  of  the  finest  and 
sublimest  sights  that  he  ever  beheld.  In  a  few  moments  the 
glory  of  God  seemed  to  fill  the  chapel ;  but  eternity  alone 
must  unfold  the  wonderful  efiects  of  that  afternoon's  ser- 
vice. 

Yesterday  forenoon,  I  preached  again  in  the  Kingston 
chapel,  in  behalf  of  the  Chapel  Trust  Fund.  Although  a 
week-day  service,  the  congregation  was  very  large,  and  com- 
posed of  most  of  the  denominations  in  town.  The  Lord  gave 
me  great  liberty  on  Romans  viii.  15, 16.  The  collection 
was  noble. 


SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.     371 

The  following  letter  and  resolution  show  the  estimate  set 
on  Mr.  Caughey's  labors  by  the  official  members  of  the  Wes- 
leyan  churches  in  Hull. 

"Hull,  March  26,  1844. 

"  To  the  Rev.  James  Caughey. 
"Dear  Sir, 

"  We  have  great  pleasure  in  handing  over  to  you  a  copy 
of  a  resolution,  passed  unanimously,  at  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing of  the  Hull  West  Circuit,  held  yesterday  in  the  vestry 
of  Waltham  Street  chapel ;  and  in  doing  so,  we  beg  to  offer 
our  sincere  and  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness,  as 
well  as  for  the  blessing  of  the  great  Head  of  the  church  on 
all  your  future  endeavors  to  promote  his  glory,  in  the  salvar- 
tion  of  immortal  souls. 

"  We  remain  dear  Sir,  yours  in  the  bonds  of  Christian 
love  and  affection, 

"  Jno.  S.  Richardson,    )      Circuit 
Thomas  Henwood,        j    Stewards." 

"  Hull  West  Circuit  Quarterly-Meeting,  held  in  the  vestry 
of  Waltham  Street  chapel,  on  Monday,  the  25th  of 
March,  1844. 

"  The  Rev.  Thomas  Martin  in  the  chair. 
"  Resolved^  That  this  meeting  acknowledges,  with  devout 
gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  the  success  which  it  has  pleased 
him  to  vouchsafe  to  the  special  religious  services  instituted  of 
late,  and  still  continued  in  this  Circuit ;  and,  in  connection 
therewith,  feels  called  upon  to  offer  its  best  thanks  to  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Martin,  the  esteemed  superintendent  of  this 
Circuit,  and  to  his  colleagues,  the  Rev.  William  Hurt  and 
the  Rev.  Daniel  West.  This  meeting  further  presents  its 
most  grateful  acknowledgments  to  the  Rev.  James  Caughey, 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  America,  for  his  very 
valuable  services  in  this  Circuit  during  the  last  three  months  ; 


372     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OP   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

which,  in  connection  with  the  special  meetings  already  re- 
ferred to,  having  been  greatly  owned  of  God  to  the  awaken- 
ing and  conversion  of  many  sinners. 
"  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  meeting, 

"  Jno.  S.  Richardson,  )      Circuit 
Thomas  Henwood,     )  Stewards." 

Towards  the  last  of  April,  1844,  Mr.  Caughey  brought  his 
labors  in  Hull  to  a  termination.  We  insert  the  following 
account  of  the  closing  scenes. 

My  labors  in  Hull  were  brought  to  a  conclusion  during  the 
last  week  in  April,  by  preaching  farewell  sermons  in  three  of 
the  chapels.  The  crowds  were  tremendous,  and  the  affection 
of  the  people  unbounded  ;  especially  that  of  the  new  con- 
verts. It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  the  brethren  could 
extricate  me  from  the  multitudes  which  surrounded  the  car- 
riage on  my  departure  from  Great  Thornton  Street  chapel. 
I  can  scarcely  convey  to  you  any  idea  of  the  scene.  Had  I 
staid  to  shake  hands  with  but  one  half  of  those  who 
desired  it,  I  should  not  have  got  off  before  midnight.  The 
excitement  of  mind  was  nearly  too  much  for  me.  Were  I  to 
let  my  pen  have  freedom  to  express  all  the  love  that  burns 
in  my  bosom  toward  the  people  of  Hull,  and  the  reasons  for 
this  warmth  of  affection,  this  letter  would  extend  to  an 
unreasonable  length.  Noble,  generous,  royal,  enthusiastic 
Hull !  We  sometimes  talk  of  the  ardor  and  enthusiasm  of 
the  Irish  people  ;  but  in  these  respects,  Hull  and  her  chil- 
dren might  be  set  down,  side  by  side,  with  any  city  or  town 
in  the  Emerald  Isle. 

As  to  the  extent  of  the  revival,  as  near  as  could  be  ascer- 
tained from  records  carefully  kept  during  its  progress,  two 
thousand  three  hundred  persons  obtained  justification,  of 
whom,  seventeen  hundred  were  from  the  world ;   more  thau 


SCENES   AND    INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.     373 

one  thousand  of  these  united  with  the  Weslejan  Church  in 
Hull.  The  remainder  of  the  converts  from  the  world  were 
from  several  country  Circuits  in  Lincolnshire  and  parts  of 
Yorkshire  ;  most  of  whom,  it  is  hoped,  have  united  with  the 
church  in  their  respective  neighborhoods,  and  many  united 
with  other  churches  in  Hull.  Six  hundred  persons  belong- 
ing to  the  Wesleyan  and  other  churches,  were  also  converted 
during  the  revival.  What  the  final  results  may  be,  or  how 
these  new  converts  will  stand,  time  or  perhaps  eternity  alone 
can  unfold ;  but,  certainly,  the  work  bears  every  feature  of 
its  having  been  wrought  of  God.  It  is  admitted,  that  some 
may  have  been  deceived  as  to  their  conversion ;  others  may 
hereafter  bear  too  strict  a  resemblance  to  those  by  no  means 
singular  cases,  connected  with  that  great  revival  so  strikingly 
illustrated  by  our  Lord,  in  Matthew  xiii.  1 ;  yet,  very  much, 
under  God,  will  depend  upon  the  pastoral  faithfulness  of  the 
ministers,  as  well  as  the  individual  exertions  of  the  leaders 
of  classes  on  the  two  Hull  Circuits. 

To  the  ministers  I  could  say  little  on  leaving.  I  felt  I 
could  rather  take  my  place  at  their  feet.  My  soul,  as  it 
always  is  in  a  revival,  and  in  proportion  to  my  success,  was 
deeply  humbled  before  God  and  man.  Several  opportuni- 
ties, however,  were  afforded  me,  before  I  left  the  town,  of 
exhorting  the  leaders  to  take  special  care  of  the  new  converts. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morley  very  kindly  invited  a  large  company 
to  meet  me  at  tea  in  their  house  ;  and  the  following  evening 
my  excellent  host  and  hostess,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas 
Holmes,  afforded  me  the  same  delightful  privilege  at  their 
mansion.  These  happy  interviews  shall  never  be  forgotten. 
Through  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Thompson,  Super- 
intendent of  the  East  Circuit,  I  enjoyed  a  similar  interview 
with  the  leaders  and  local  preachers  in  the  band-room  at 
George  Yard  chapel.  But  the  "  cro waning  meeting  of  all " 
32 


374    SCENES  AND   INCIDENTS   OF  THE  HULL  REVIVAL. 

was  afforded  by  tlie  generosity  of  my  late  host  and  hostess, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Crow.  The  tea  was  given  in  a  large 
upper  room  of  one  of  his  buildings.  The  company  was  large 
and  highly  respectable  ;  composed  of  local  preachers,  class- 
leaders,  and  friends  —  one  of  the  happiest  seasons  of  the 
kind  I  have  ever  enjoyed.  I  poured  out  my  heart  before 
tliem,  begging  and  entreating  them,  with  the  deepest  emotion, 
to  spare  no  pains,  that  those  lately  brought  to  God 
might  be  preserved  from  going  back  into  the  world.  Four 
evenings  were  spent  in  this  way  most  agreeably  with  the 
leaders.  The  manner  in  which  they  individually  responded 
to  my  requests  and  anxious  feelings,  is  too  deeply  engraven 
upon  my  heart  ever  to  be  erased.  Here  I  must  leave  the 
matter  for  the  present.  "  If  I  be  bereaved  of  my  children, 
I  am  bereaved."  Satan  often  tells  me  there  will  be  many 
who  will  backslide  in  Hull,  and  that,  in  consequence  thereof, 
my  God  will  yet  humble  me  among  them.  But  I  can  only 
turn  my  weeping  eyes  to  God  and  say,  — 

*'  Thou  seest  their  wants,  thou  knowest  their  names, 
Be  mindful  of  thy  youngest  care ; 
Be  tender  of  the  new-born  lambs, 
And  gently  in  thy  bosom  bear. 
The  lion  roaring  for  his  prey, 
With  ravening  wolves  on  every  side, 
Watch  over  them  to  tear  and  slay, 
K  found  one  moment  from  their  guide. 
Satan  his  thousand  arts  essays. 
His  agents  all  their  powers  employ 
To  blast  the  blooming  work  of  grace. 
The  heavenly  offspring  to  destroy. 
Baffle  the  crooked  serpent's  skill. 
And  turn  his  sharpest  darts  aside  ; 
Hide  from  their  eyes  the  devilish  ill ; 
0,  save  them  from  the  demon  Pride. 
In  safety  lead  thy  little  flock 
From  hell,  the  world,  and  sin  secure  } 
And  set  their  feet  upon  the  rock, 
And  make  in  thee  their  goings  sure !  '• 


SCENES  AND   INCIDENTS   OF  THE  HULL  REVIVAL.     375 

Having  left  Hull,  ]Mr.  Caughey  revisited  his  old  friends  in 
Leeds.  It  was  only  a  flying  visit,  but  the  account  is  interest- 
ing, as  it  illustrates  the  permanency  of  the  Leeds  revival. 
He  says : 

I  spent  the  last  Sabbath  of  April  in  Leeds,  and  preached 
in  St.  Peter's  chapel,  morning  and  evening.  During  the 
forenoon  discourse,  most  of  the  congregation  were  bathed  in 
tears.  The  house  was  filled  with  the  glory  of  God.  I  have 
never  revisited  a  place  where  greater  affection  was  manifest- 
ed towards  me,  nor  more  confidence  in  the  sincerity  of  my 
efforts  to  save  souls.  This  was  contrary  rather  to  what  I 
expected.  From  the  reports  which  had  reached  me  of  the 
grievous  "  falUng  away  "  of  the  new  converts,  I  apprehend- 
ed my  influence  in  Leeds  must  have  been  greatly  impaired. 
This,  however,  was  far  from  being  the  case.  The  friends 
from  all  parts  of  the  town  were  present,  and  so  were  very 
many  of  my  spiritual  children  ;  and  great  was  our  joy  and 
rejoicing  in  the  Lord. 

I  was  much  affected  at  seeing  Mrs.  Shann  in  the  congre- 
gation, with  part  of  her  family.  You  will  remember  the 
name,  as  from  my  letters  you  learned  that  I  stopped  at  her 
house  during  part  of  my  stay  in  Leeds.  The  death  of  Mr. 
Shann,  which  occurred  about  four  months  ago,  was  sudden. 
Having  been  called  to  London  on  business,  he  was  taken  with 
a  sickness  which  terminated  in  death.  His  family  arrived 
in  London  a  few  days  before  he  died.  His  end  was  not  only 
peaceful  but  triumphant.  I  well  remember  the  night,  dur- 
ing the  revival  in  Brunswick  chapel,  when  he  came  forward 
to  the  altar,  with  many  others,  to  seek  salvation.  The  text 
was,  "  How  long  halt  ye  between  two  opinions  ?  "  While 
kneeling  there  with  several  others  of  his  family,  he  obtained 
an  evidence,  clear  and  satisfactory,  that  God,  for  Christ's 


376     SCENES   AND    INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

sake,  had  forgiven  his  sins,  and  had  adopted  him  into  his 
family.  The  fear  of  the  Lord  had  been  before  his  eyes  for 
many  years ;  but  till  that  memorable  night,  he  had  not  en- 
joyed, I  believe,  a  conscious  sense  of  the  pardoning  love  of 
God.  A  part  of  his  family,  with  himself,  united  with  the 
Methodist  church  immediately  ;  and,  with  all  the  simplicity 
of  one  but  newly  found  in  Christ,  he  declared,  from  w^eek  to 
week,  what  great  things  God  had  done  for  his  soul.  A  few 
months  passed  away,  and  he  was  called  to  unite  with  the 
church  triumphant.  Mr.  Shann  stood  high  in  the  commer- 
cial world,  as  a  gentleman  of  lofty  principle  and  unsullied 
integrity.  He  showed  me  great  kindness  during  my  resi- 
dence in  his  hospitable  house,  for  Avhich  I  hope  he  will  be 
rewarded  in  the  resurrection  of  the  just.     Amen ! 

On  the  same  night  in  which  he  died,  being  in  Hull,  I  had 
a  dream.  I  thought  I  was  walking  along  a  strange  and 
lonely  road.  After  passing  a  spot  where  four  roads  struck 
off  in  different  directions,  I  turned  and  looked  to  my  left, 
and  saw  Mr.  Shann  riding  down  one  of  the  roads.  He 
drove  two  fine  horses  of  dappled  gray,  which  were  attached  to 
a  large  piece  of  timber  elevated  on  wheels.  He  was  seated 
on  the  timber,  driving  rapidly ;  and  after  waving  several 
adieus  with  his  hand,  he  dashed  onward,  and  was  soon  out 
of  sight.  As  he  was  disappearing  from  my  eyes,  these 
words  reached  my  ear :  "  He  is  in  great  haste  to  pay  a  debt." 
I  awoke  with  the  deep  impression  resting  upon  my  mind, 
^^Mr.  Shann  is  dead."  In  the  morning,  I  told  Mr.  Field,  at 
whose  house  I  was  then  staying,  that  I  believed  one  of  my 
Leeds  friends  had  passed  into  eternity.  To  his  surprise,  a 
few  hours  after,  I  presented  him  with  a  letter,  which  gave 
the  account  of  the  sudden  death  of  Mr.  Shann. 

While  in  Leeds  I  took  occasion  to  inquire  carefully  into 
the  truth  of  those  reports  which  had  been  put  into  circulation 


SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS   OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.     377 

respecting  the  late  revival ;  and  with  a  few  slight  exceptions, 
I  am  happy  to  say  they  appeared  to  have  no  foundation  in 
truth.  I  had  several  conversations  Avith  intelligent  individuals 
on  the  subject.  Their  replies  to  my  inquiries  may  be  summed 
up  by  quoting  the  substance  of  the  remarks  of  one  individual : 
"  In  order,  my  dear  Sir,  to  understand  correctly  the  blessed 
efifects  of  that  revival,  to  the  fullest  extent,  the  state  of  the 
Wesleyan  society  in  Leeds,  previous  to  that  remarkable  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit,  should  be  considered.  During  two 
years  which  preceded  that  revival,  in  consequence  of  com- 
mercial distress  and  the  consequent  poverty  of  the  people, 
together  with  removals,  deaths,  backslidings,  and  expulsions, 
we  were  going  down  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  per  quarter. 
You  are  aware  the  revival  had  begun  in  some  parts  of  the 
Circuit  and  extended  into  the  country  before  you  came 
among  us.  The  work  advanced  with  greater  power  after 
your  arrival ;  and,  after  the  quarterly  visitation,  we  found 
the  retrograde  movement  had  been  put  a  stop  to,  and  we  had 
a  small  increase,  and  many  on  trial.  From  that  time,  we 
have  been  gradually  on  the  advance.  It  is  admitted  that  a 
few  of  the  new  converts  did  go  back  to  the  world,  and  some 
whose  names  were  on  the  hst  we  never  found ;  but,  that 
the  revival  has  been  a  failure,  and  that  the  society  is  just 
where  it  was  before,  is  a  positive  falsehood.  We  can  present 
to  friends  and  foes  the  convincing  proof  of  our  contradiction, 
by  showing  an  increase  on  the  year  of  five  hundred  mem- 
bers." 

Another  said :  "  We  are  not  after  all  to  estimate  the 
value  of  that  revival  so  much  by  the  mere  numerical  in- 
crease, as  by  the  high  tone  of  piety  it  has  diffused  through 
our  church." 

I  account  for  these  reports  thus  :     1st.  The  conversion  of 
fourteen  or  fifteen  hundreds  of  people  in  the  course  of  a  few 
32» 


378     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS    OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

months,  could  not  but  be  noised  abroad.  2d.  It  was  not 
generally  known,  that  hundreds  of  these  were  members  of 
the  Weslejan  and  of  other  churches  in  town  and  country. 
3d,  It  was  expected,  by  those  who  did  not  understand  the 
real  character  of  the  statistics,  that  a  very  large  increase 
would  be  realized.  4th.  As  quarter  succeeded  quarter,  such 
persons  looked  in  vain  for  this  great  augmentation  of  numbers. 
5th.  Unguarded  and  unqualified  expressions  were  uttered  in 
certain  quarters,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  converts  could 
not  be  found,  or  had  gone  back  to  the  world,  because  two 
out  of  a  dozen,  or  three  out  of  thirty,  had  refused  to  attend 
class,  while  the  owners  of  several  names  could  not  be  found : 
"  Therefore  the  revival  has  resulted  in  a  failure."  Other 
causes  might  be  given —  but  I  forbear. 

I  spent  a  most  delightful  Sabbath  in  Leeds.  My  old  offi- 
cers, local  preachers,  and  leaders,  from  all  the  circuits  in 
town,  rallied  around  me.  God  was  with  us  in  power,  and 
many  sinners  were  converted.  ■  A  few  of  my  children,  who 
had  been  tempted  by  the  devil  into  the  road  to  hell,  were  re- 
claimed and  brought  back  again,  with  many  tears,  into  the 
path  of  heaven. 

Next  day  I  returned  to  Hull  by  railway.  When  within 
about  forty  miles  of  Hull,  the  engineer,  when  pausing  at  a 
station,  introduced  himself  to  me  as  one  of  my  children  in 
the  Lord.  He  requested  me  to  ride  a  few  miles  with  him  on 
the  platform  of  the  locomotive,  in  order  to  see  the  machinery 
in  motion.  As  we  were  flying  along,  he  related  his  awaken- 
ing and  conversion.  When  we  came  to  a  certain  place,  he 
said :  "  There !  that  is  the  place  where  God  set  my  soul  at 
liberty.  My  agony  of  mind  was  very  great.  So  much  so, 
that  when  we  stopped  at  a  certain  station,  I  ran  from  the 
engine  into  a  retired  place,  and  cried  to  God.  When  we 
started,  I  scarcely  knew  what  I  did,  I  was  so  wretched. 


SCENES   AXD   INCIDENTS   OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL.     379 

But  my  cry  for  mercy  went  up  to  heaven.  When  running, 
Sir,  at  the  rate  of  thirty  miles  an  hour,  God  met  me.  The 
rapidity  of  our  motions  was  no  hinderance.  He  spoke  peace 
to  my  soul,  and  in  a  moment  my  hell  was  turned  into  heaven, 
and  I  rejoiced  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory."  The 
above  is  but  the  substance  of  his  experience.  All  glory  be 
to  God! 

On  the  first  of  this  month,  in  company  with  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam lUingworth  and  wife,  the  Rev.  John  Vine  and  wife,  and 
a  number  of  other  friends,  I  enjoyed  an  excursion  to  Welton 
Vale. 

The  occasion  of  our  visit  arose  from  the  kind  invitation  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Field,  at  whose  house  I  was  first  en- 
tertained on  my  arrival  in  Hull,  and  where  I  spent  the  last 
week  of  my  stay  in  that  town.  They  contrived  the  excur- 
sion in  order  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  of  their  marriage, 
and  also  as  a  token  of  respect  for  your  correspondent.  We 
were  favored  with  as  lovely  a  day  as  our  heavenly  Father 
could  have  given  us.  "  It  was,"  as  a  poet  has  expressed  it, 
"  one  of  those  heavenly  days  that  cannot  die."  The  scenery 
was  beautified  all  the  way  with  hill  and  dale,  fine  gardens, 
fruitful  fields  sprinkled  with  trees  and  fringed  with  woods,  in 
which  are  nestled  sweet  cottages  and  elegant  mansions  ;  the 
whole  enlivened  by  extensive  views  of  the  Humber,  visible 
from  various  points  of  elevation. 

Arriving  at  the  Vale,  we  obtamed  permission  from  the  pro- 
prietor to  enter.  After  enjoying  a  few  walks,  traced  out  in 
many  directions,  and  through  a  variety  of  romantic  scenes, 
the  cloth  was  spread  upon  the  grass,  beneath  a  refreshing 
shade,  where  we  partook  of  an  excellent  dinner.  The  party 
then  retired  to  a  summer-house,  commanding  an  extensive 
prospect.  Beneath  flowed  the  Humber  ;  the  opposite  shores 
displayed  the  hills  and  dales  of  Lincolnshire,  with  the  "  con- 


380     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS   OF   THE   HULL   REVIVAL. 

fluence  point "   of  the   rivers  Trent  (if  I  recollect  right) 
and  Ouse  with  the  Humber. 

The  happy  couple  were  then  addressed  by  several  speak- 
ers, with  numerous  congratulations  and  hearty  wishes  for 
many  happy  returns  of  the  season,  all  of  which,  I  have  no 
doubt,  were  felt ;  and  to  which  Mr.  Field  replied  with  very 
good  grace.  Our  proceedings  were,  however,  disturbed  by 
the  arrival  of  a  messenger,  stating  that  "the  village  had 
come  into  the  vale,"  and  that  "  they  expected  a  sermon  from 
Mr.  Caughey."  We  found  nearly  two  hundred  people  con- 
gregated beneath  some  shady  trees  on  the  brow  of  the  hill. 
We  walked  into  the  midst  of  them  and  sang :  — 

"  My  God,  the  spring  of  all  my  joys, 
The  life  of  my  delights, 
The  glory  of  my  brightest  days, 
And  comfort  of  my  nights  !  " 

After  which,  several  of  the  brethren  prayed,  and  I  gave 
an  exhortation.  The  dear  people  seemed  much  affected. 
When  I  requested  those  who  were  determined  to  meet  us  in 
heaven,  to  signify  the  same  by  raising  the  right  hand  heaven- 
ward, the  sudden  and  universal  show  of  hands  gave 
evidence  that  the  feehng  and  purpose  were  general.  One 
person,  I  have  since  been  informed,  found  peace  during  the 
service.  We  had  a  pleasant  ride  back  to  Hull,  and  had  the 
privilege,  at  night,  of  hearing  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beaumont  preach 
an  excellent  sermon  in  Kingston  chapel. 

We  cannot  close  this  chapter  better  than  by  inserting  the 
following  letter  from  a  pious  gentleman  of  Hull,  concerning 
the  subsequent  influence  of  Mr.  C.'s  labors  in  that  town.  It 
carries  us  a  little  beyond  the  time  of  our  narrative,  but  is 
nevertheless  an  appropriate  conclusion  to  the  foregoing  revival 
incidents. 


scenes  and  incidents  of  the  hull  kevival .  381 

"  Hull,  June  25,  1844. 
"  My  dear  Brother, 

"  We  had  our  Quarterly  Meeting  yesterday.  I  wish  you 
could  have  been  present ;  it  would  have  greatly  encouraged 
you.  We  have  now  on  the  Hull  East  near  eight  hundred 
more  meeting  in  class  than  we  had  before  your  visit.  Mr. 
T.  has  the  numbers,  seven  hundred  and  ninety-four  or 
six  ;  but  I  should  say,  we  have  a  few  above  eight  hundred. 
Our  finances  are  equally  encouraging ;  —  we  have  an  in- 
crease of  <£60  per  quarter.  We  passed  a  resolution,  which 
will  be  handed  to  you  by  our  Circuit  stewards.  It  will,  I 
trust,  gratify  you,  and  encourage  you  to  go  on  in  the  name 
of  Him  who  sent  you  on  this  glorious  mission.  I  believe  the 
Spirit  of  God  will  not  mislead  you,  if  you  continue  to  be 
faithful.  God  will  stand  by  you  and  his  ovm.  truth.  You 
remember  the  second  Sunday  evening  you  preached  in  Walt- 
ham  Street  chapel,  when  you  said  some  strong  things.  A 
very  wicked  persecutor  was  induced  to  go  into  Waltham 
Street  chapel,  as  he  was  passing ;  the  word  reached  his 
heart  ;  he  never  rested  until  he  was  saved ;  —  and  a 
more  sound  and  clear  conversion  we  had  not  in  Hull. 
His  name  is  Thomas  McC.  I  am  sorry  to  say  he  per- 
ished last  week  in  the  Manchester  steamer,  with  all  on  board  ; 
they  left  this  for  Hamburg  last  Friday  week.  He  has  left  a 
wife  and  two  children.  Is  not  this  very  startling,  that  so 
many  should  be  swept  away  that  have  lately  been  converted, 
and  others,  who  rejected  the  offers  of  mercy,  also  cut  down  ? 
May  the  mighty  power  of  God  still  attend  your  ministry ! 
AVe  had  a  very  glorious  day  last  Sabbath  —  Kingston  chap- 
el full  at  the  love-feast,  and  great  power ;  many  saved 
in  George  Yard  at  night ;  —  we  had  a  great  victory. 
You  must  remember,  I  shall  expect  you  to  come  by  way 


382     SCENES   AND   INCIDENTS   OF   THE  HULL  BEVIVAL. 

of  Hull  to  London.  I  cannot  excuse  you.  Hoping  soon 
to  hear  from  you,  I  am,  my  dear  brother,  yours  very  af- 
fectionately, 

"  William  Field." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IX  SHEFFIELD. 

It  was  Mr.  Caughey's  intention  to  proceed  directly  from 
Hull  to  Huddersfield.  But  the  Sheffield  brethren,  having 
by  some  misunderstanding  been  led  to  expect  him  in  their 
circuits,  had  made  such  public  announcements  as  could  not 
with  propriety  be  disappointed.  Hence  ]Mr.  C,  having  but 
just  begun  his  labors  in  Huddersfield,  felt  himself  under  a 
sort  of  moral  compulsion  to  leave,  and  to  make  an  attempt 
on  the  kingdom  of  darkness  in  Sheffield  first.  His  success 
there  showed  the  wisdom  of  his  decision  —  it  was  really 
marvellous.  With  this  brief  introduction,  we  leave  the 
reader  to  pursue  the  narrative  with  the  assurance  that  this 
chapter  will  be  to  him  a  ''feast  of  fat  things." 

On  Saturday,  the  4th  of  INIay,  1844, 1  left  Hull  by  rail- 
way for  Huddersfield,  where  I  arrived  in  a  few  hours,  and 
was  conducted  to  New-House,  the  mansion  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Mallinson,  where  I  was  hospitably  entertained  during  my 
stay.  Next  day  I  preached  twice  in  the  Queen  Street 
chapel  —  a  large  and  handsome  edifice.  Sinners  were 
converted  in  the  afternoon  and  at  night.  I  preached  also 
on  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday  evenings. 
Each  service  was  crowned  with  the  conversion  of  sinners 
and   sanctification   of  behevers;   indeed  there   was   every 

383 


384         DISPLAYS    OF   DIVINE    GLORY   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

appearance  that  we  were  on  the  eve  of  a  very  great  revival 
of  rehgion.  The  friends  in  Sheffield,  however,  had  so  con- 
strued a  sentence  in  one  of  mj  letters,  as  to  imply  a 
positive  promise  to  visit  that  town  at  a  certain  time ;  had 
handbills  printed  and  placards  posted  on  the  strength  of  it, 
and  insisted  upon  the  fulfilment,  the  following  Sabbath.  It 
was  a  grievous  thing  to  the  Huddersfield  friends ;  and  they 
protested  against  it.  But  on  my  giving  them  a  promise, 
that  on  my  return  from  my  intended  Italian  tour,  I  would 
revisit  Huddersfield,  they  consented  to  let  me  go.  I  left 
them  with  regret.  The  Wesleyans  have  a  lovely  people  in 
Huddersfield.  A  few  influential  men  of  the  right  stamp, 
appear  to  have  given  a  holy,  elevated,  and  generous  tone  to 
the  entire  church.  Long  may  they  continue  so  ;  "  rooted 
and  fixed  in  God." 

The  Wesleyan  ministers  now  stationed  in  Huddersfield 
are,  the  Rev.  John  Grooves,  the  Rev.  Jonathan  J.  Bates, 
and  the  Rev.  Edward  Brice.  I  was  received  by  these 
ministers  with  great  cordiaUty ;  had  the  privilege  of  dining 
in  their  company  several  times  during  my  stay ;  and  each 
interview  only  rendered  the  acquaintance  the  more  interesting 
and  agreeable.     God  bless  them  !     Amen. 

On  Saturday,  the  11th  instant,  I  arrived  in  Sheffield,  and 
was  conducted  by  my  kind  friend  Mr.  John  Unwin,  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  WilHam  Beet,  where  I  received  a  cheering 
welcome,  and  where  I  have  since  remained.  About  sixty 
persons  have  been  converted  here  already. 

My  sudden  departure  from  Huddersfield  was  sorely  against 
my  will.  I  thought  God  had  sent  me  there.  Perhaps  the 
future  may  explain  it.  When  I  was  in  Hull,  Mr.  Joseph 
Webb  and  Mr.  Thomas  Mallinson  came  with  a  special  and 
pressing  invitation  to  visit  Huddersfield.  My  mind  was  not 
to  go ;  the  more  I  thought  of  it,  the  more  averse  I  felt.     I 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD.    385 

went  up  to  mj  room,  and  fell  down  before  God,  and  inquired, 
"  Shall  I  go,  mj  Lord  ?  "  The  following  was  spoken  to  my 
heart :  "  Go,  nothing  doubting."  I  said,  "  I  shall  go, 
then;"  and  so  the  matter  was  arranged.  I  afterwards 
found,  that  many  of  the  good  people  at  Huddersfield  had 
engaged  to  plead  with  God  for  the  success  of  these  gentle- 
men's mission.  The  meetings  we  did  hold  were  crowned 
with  rich  blessings  from  on  high ;  but  our  purposes  were 
broken  off. 

Of  his  first  labors  in  Sheffield  we  find  the  following 
account : 

We  arrived  in  Sheffield  in  time  to  enjoy  an  excellent 
prayer  meeting  in  Carver  Street  chapel. 

I  rejoice  to  inform  you,  that  the  special  services  in  the 
Ebenezer  Wesleyan  chapel  of  this  town  —  Sheffield  —  have 
been  remarkably  owned  of  God,  in  the  conversion  of  sinners 
and  the  sanctification  of  believers. 

At  first,  my  congregations  were  small,  but  they  increased 
more  and  more,  and  so  did  the  number  of  the  saved. 

Unlike  most  places  I  have  visited,  where  I  have  been 
compelled  to  lay  close  siege  to  sinners,  long  and  continued, 
before  they  yielded,  the  sinners  of  Sheffield  began  almost 
immediately  to  surrender ;  for,  although  the  first  prayer 
meeting  on  Sabbath  afternoon,  May  12th,  resulted  in  the 
conversion  of  one  only,  twenty-nine  were  converted  at  night 
after  sermon.  Considering  the  neighborhood  and  circum- 
stances of  the  society  at  Ebenezer,  I  felt  at  first  a  little 
surprised  that  the  Superintendent,  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Haswell, 
his  colleagues,  the  Rev.  J.  Stinson,  T.  Dickin,  and  B.  B 
Waddy,  with  the  leading  men  on  the  Circuit,  should  have 
fixed  upon  this  as  the  most  suitable  place  to  commence 
special  efforts  for  a  great  revival  —  a  decision,  in  which,  I 
33 


386          DISPLAYS   or   divine   glory   in   SHEFFIELD. 

believe  they  were  unanimous.  I  would  have  chosen  the 
heart — Carver  Street  chapel — as  the  most  likely  place  to 
find  that  warmth  of  temperament,  and  energy  of  talent,  so 
necessary  "  to  make  a  beginning."  The  results,  however, 
proved  the  propriety  of  their  choice.  The  official  brethren 
at  Ebenezer  entered  into  the  work  with  their  whole  souls. 
The  members,  though  generally  poor  in  this  world,  but  rich 
in  faith,  assisted  us  in  mighty  prayer.  The  noise  was  some- 
times tremendous,  but  God  was  in  it.  No  attempts  were 
made  abruptly  to  put  it  down ;  but  by  prudent  management 
on  the  part  of  Mr.  Haswell,  when  present,  and  others  who 
had  charge  of  the  services  in  his  absence,  it  was  kept  within 
bounds,  and  under  a  scriptural  and  judicious  control,  and 
was  rendered  subservient  to  arouse  the  careless  and  prayer- 
less  to  perceive  and  feel  that  religion  was  a  subject  Avorthy 
of  the  attention  and  energies  of  their  fellow-townsmen.  The 
influential  and  talented  leaders  of  Carver  Street,  instead  of 
standing  aloof  to  see  first  how  the  battle  would  go,  came 
up  nobly  to  the  help  of  the  Lord.  Reports  spread  like  fire 
through  all  parts  of  the  town ;  sinners  of  every  grade  of 
character  crowded  to  the  place.  Some  fled  in  terror,  looking 
unutterable  things  —  illustrating  vividly  that  passage  in  the 
book  of  Samuel :  "  And  the  Philistines  were  afraid,  for  they 
said,  God  is  come  into  the  camp.  And  they  said,  Woe  unto 
us !  for  there  hath  not  been  such  a  thing  heretofore."  Every 
meeting  brought  more  and  more  together.  The  noise  was 
heard  afar :  "  And  when  the  Philistines  heard  the  noise  of 
the  shout,  they  said.  What  meaneth  the  noise  of  this  great 
shout  ?  for,  when  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  came 
into  the  camp,  all  Israel  shouted  with  a  great  shout,  so  that 
the  earth  rang  again."     1  Sam.  iv. 

Some  people  were  "  offended  "  at  the  tremendous  "  amens  " 
and  shouts  of  victory  which  prevailed  on  every  side.     But 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD.    387 

such  were  exhorted  to  patience,  and  to  beware  of  temptation 
—  to  remember  also,  that  it  was  impossible,  unless  the  lungs 
of  the  zealous  people  were  as  substantial  as  leather,  or  aa 
as  Cicero  expressed  it,  their  bodies  were  "  chiselled  out  of 
the  rock,  or  hewn  out  of  the  oak ; "  or  their  voices  were 
endowed  with  the  unchangeability  of  the  trumpet,  that  they 
could  stand,  for  any  considerable  length  of  time,  efforts  so 
violent.  The  prediction  proved  too  true.  Toward  the  latter 
part  of  the  second  week,  they  began  to  flag ;  and  there 
were  evident  marks  of  a  humiliating  and  rapid  tendency  to 
the  opposite  extreme.  Some  had  quite  exhausted  their 
strength,  others  had  broken  their  voices  ;  the  "  amens " 
were  "  few  and  far  between."  This  was  the  reaction  some 
of  us  anticipated.  Any  one,  not  acquainted  with  the  secret 
power  to  which  we  owed  our  success,  during  the  tempest  of 
human  feeling  —  the  constraining  and  overpowering  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Ghost  —  would  have  said,  "The  revival 
is  at  an  end  —  the  sparks  of  their  own  kindling  are  quite 
gone  out  —  it  is  likely  they  will  close  the  doors  now  and 
recruit  ere  they  can  muster  another  such  exhibition."  But 
the  work  of  God,  which  is  not  dependent  upon  much  noise 
or  little,  but  upon  an  influence  from  heaven,  advanced  with- 
out a  pause.  The  hearts  of  the  people  were  right  with  God. 
Wickedness  was  not  in  our  camp,  nor  division  of  feeling  or 
opinion.  Many  seemed,  in  their  looks,  to  say :  "  Our  hearts 
are  with  you,  but  we  are  weak  ;  our  strength  is  gone  ;  we 
can  do  nothing  but  exercise  faith,  and  pray  in  silence  ;  go  on, 
the  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  you,  the  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge !  " 
In  the  course  of  a  week  or  so,  they  regained  their  energy, 
and  were  as  ardent  and  zealous  as  ever ;  but,  learning 
wisdom  from  the  things  they  had  suffered,  they  now  pru- 
dently "  husbanded  their  strength,"  appropriating  their 
"  amens,"  "  hallelujahs,"  &c.,  to  those  points  of  "  onset  or 


388    DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD. 

victory,"  where  they  could  be  used  to  the  greatest  advantage 
and  effect.  Their  zeal  being  now  according  to  knowledge, 
and  guided  by  it,  burned  with  a  bright,  steady,  and  ever- 
during  flame  —  not  a  blaze  one  night  and  extinguished  the 
next,  fitful  and  uncertain  as  the  lightning  in  the  evening 
cloud ;  but  it  kindled  and  ascended  like  the  morning  sun, 
advancing  upward  till  it  attained  its  meridian  glory :  as  the 
sun,  in  the  days  of  Joshua,  it  tarried  over  our  Gibeon,  "  in 
the  midst  of  heaven,  and  hasted  not  to  go  down;"  I  shall 
not  say,  "  for  the  space  of  a  whole  day,"  or  even  during 
the  remainder  of  the  services  in  Ebenezer  chapel,  but  it  also 
extends,  thus  far,  in  Carver  Street,  until  the  Lord  has 
avenged  himself  on  his  enemies  and  ours,  gloriously.  Many 
were  the  slain  and  healed  of  the  Lord  at  Ebenezer.  The 
meeting  for  the  new  converts,  for  the  wounded  also,  and 
the  slain,  was  a  season  never  to  be  forgotten.  The  Ebenezer 
chapel  was  a  symbolical  Ebenezer  to  the  vast  assemblage 
of  people  on  the  night  in  question.  By  many  tears  and 
various  expressions  of  joy,  they  seemed  to  say,  almost 
universally,  "  This  is  our  Ebenezer,  for  hitherto  hath  God 
helped  us." 

Perhaps  the  following  report,  or  table,  of  the  progress  of 
the  revival,  which  was  handed  to  me,  at  the  close  of  the 
services  in  the  above  chapel,  by  the  secretary,  Mr.  John 
Jepson,  will  afford  you  as  good  a  view  of  the  steady  progress 
of  this  great  work  of  God,  as  any  other  medium  I  could 
adopt :  — 

"  Dear  Sir  —  The  following  is  a  faithful  report  of  the 
numbers  saved  in  Ebenezer  chapel,  from  the  12th  of  May 
to  the  3d  of  June,  twenty-one  days  inclusive.  In  Jesus, 
affectionately  yours, 

"John  Jepson." 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD. 


389 


Sheffield,  Ebenezer  Cuapel,  Mat  12,  to  June  3,  1844. 


Justified 

Justified 

Blessing 

out  of  the 

in 

of  Sancti- 

Totals. 

World. 

Society. 

fication. 

Sunday, 

May  12. 

31 

12 

43 

Monday, 

»      13.        . 

21 

6 

13 

40 

Tuesday, 

"      14. 

17 

8 

9 

34 

"Wednesday, 

"      15. 

9 

11 

6 

26 

Thursday, 

"      16. 

8 

9 

4 

21 

Friday, 

»      17.        . 

8 

6 

28 

42 

Saturday, 

"      IS.        . 

Society 

Bands. 

94 

52 

00 

206 

: 

Sunday, 

May  19. 

42 

16 

19 

77 

Monday, 

"      20. 

22 

7 

14 

43 

Tuesday, 

"      21. 

15 

9 

9 

33 

Wednesday, 

"      22. 

7 

5 

3 

15 

Thursday,' 

"      23. 

5 

1 

4 

10 

Friday, 

"      24.         . 

3 

0 

25 

28 

94 

38 

74 

206 

Sunday, 

May  26. 

24 

26 

12 

02 

JMonday, 

"      27. 

6 

3 

17 

26 

Tuesday, 

»      28. 

13 

10 

11 

34 

Wednesday, 

«      29. 

8 

6 

22 

36 

Thursday,' 

"      30. 

10 

8 

3 

21 

Friday, 

"      31. 

1 

4 

17 

22 

62 

57 

82 

201 

Sunday, 

June    2. 

62 

12 

33 

107 

Monday, 

"       3. 

11 

4 

13 

28 

73 

16 

46 

135 

Grand  Totals,     . 

.       323 

163 

262 

748 

The  scene  of  my  labors  at  present  is  Carver  Street  chapel. 
The  work  of  God  is  advancing  with  increased  rapidity  and 
power.  The  first  Sabbath  we  spent  in  this  place  of  worship, 
one  hundred  and  sixty-seven  persons  professed  salvation. 
Since  then  hundreds  have  been  saved.  The  work  is  indeed 
glorious,  beyond  any  thing  I  have  ever  seen  before  in  the 
same  space  of  time.  All  seriously  disposed  persons,  so  far  as 
I  have  learned,  are  led  to  regard  it  as  an  extraordinaiy  work 
of  God.  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  I  received  a  letter  from 
33* 


390    DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD. 

Bishop  Hedding.  It  is  most  affectionate  :  all,  in  fact,  and 
more  than  I  could  have  expected.  *  *  *  So  far  from  urging 
my  return,  he  expresses  a  cordial  approbation  of  my  labors 
and  success  in  winning  souls  to  Christ,  and  prays  that  God 
may  continue  to  bless  me  wherever  I  may  labor.  He  says 
the  Conference  will  gladly  receive  me  on  my  return,  with 
this  proviso,  that  I  bring  good  testimonials  back  with  me 
of  my  good  conduct  during  my  sojourn  in  Europe  ;  closing 
with  the  assurance,  that  thousands  are  ready,  with  joy,  to 
welcome  my  return  to  the  American  shores,  to  recommence 
my  ministerial  labors  in  that  country.  , 

"  0,  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor, 
Daily  I'm  constrained  to  be  !  " 

Here  follows  a  communication  sent  to  Mr.  Caughey  at 
Sheffield,  from  one  of  the  scenes  of  his  previous  efforts  in 
Hull.  We  insert  it  to  show  the  reader  how  high  an  estimate 
the  official  members  at  Hull  placed  on  his  precious  labors 
for  souls. 

"  4,  Parliament  Street,  Hull,  June  26, 1844.  . 
"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  We  have  much  pleasure  in  transmitting  to  you  the 
following  extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
of  the  Hull  East  Circuit,  held  on  the  24th  instant. 

"  We  remain,  reverend  and  dear  Sir,  your  faithful  and 
obedient  servants, 

"  W.  Cowley,  )    Circuit 

Edward  Riggall,  j  Stewards. 

"  On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Riggall,  seconded  by  Mr.  Field, 
it  was  resolved  unanimously,  — 

"  That  this  meeting,  from  the  numerical  and  financial 
statements  laid  before  it  by  the  Stewards,  feels  called  upon 
to  record  its  devout  gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  for  his 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVIXE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD.    391 

abundant  blessing  upon  the  special  services  lately  held ;  and 
also,  its  high  sense  of  the  consistent  and  exemplary  Christian 
conduct  of  the  Rev.  James  Caughey,  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  America,  during  his  residence  in  this 
Circuit ;  as  well  as  of  his  untiring  ministerial  labors,  and  the 
efficient  assistance  rendered  by  him  to  the  ministers  of  the 
Circuit  during  those  services." 

I  had  the  pleasure,  a  few  days  ago,  of  taking  dinner  here 
with  Dr.  Alder,  now  one  of  the  general  Wesleyan  Missionary 
Secretaries.  He  manifested  a  lively  and  cordial  interest  in 
the  revival ;  and,  in  prayer,  around  the  family  altar,  he 
proved  how  sincere  and  ardent  was  his  interest,  by  praying 
most  fervently  and  affectionately  for  your  correspondent. 
Mrs.  ^Vlder,  an  American  lady  by  birth,  you  will  remember, 
and  Miss  Alder,  are  here  at  present,  and  rejoice  in  this 
wonderful  triumph  of  the  gospel  of  God.  The  doctor  is  out 
upon  a  tour  of  missionary  visitation  to  the  churches,  and 
intends  to  return  by  the  way  of  Sheffield. 

In  a  letter  bearing  date  of  July  80,  1844,  he  thus 
continues  his  sketches  of  the  work  in  Sheffield. 

Since  the  date  of  my  last,  the  revival  has  advanced  with 
amazing  majesty  and  power.  The  scenes  have  been  such  as 
cannot  be  easily  described.  I  spent  from  June  4th,  till  the 
6th  instant,  in  Carver  Street  chapel.  The  following  extract 
from  a  table,  sent  me  by  one  of  the  secretaries,  may  give 
you  some  idea  of  the  grand  and  extensive  character  of  the 
work ;  so  far,  at  least,  as  numbers  are  concerned.  But,  to 
have  a  just  view,  or  a  proper  conception  of  the  wonderful 
effects  of  truth  upon  the  mass  of  mind  therein  recorded,  and 
"  the  differences  of  manifestation,"  in  the  hour  of  sorrow 
and  distress ;  the  prayers,  tears,  and  long  and  bitter  cries 
for  mercy,  and  the  joyful  and  triumphant  exclamations  of 


392         DISPLAYS    OF   DIVINE    GLORY   IN    SHEFFIELD. 

new-born  souls,  or  purified  believers,  in  the  glad  hour  of 
salvation,  would  require  that  you  should  have  been  "  in  the 
midst  of  us."  Never  have  I  beheld  any  thing  equal  to  it. 
0,  it  was  "  sublimely  grand!  "  —  grand  in  its  cause,  grand 
in  the  effects,  grand  in  results,  and  grand  beyond  all  human 
imaginings  when  taken  in  connection  with  the  grandeur  of  a 
coming  eternity  !     But  here  is  the  extract : 

"  The  services  were  continued  in  Carver  Street  chapel 
from  June  4th  to  July  5th;  twenty-eight  days  inclusive. 
From  the  world,  650  ;  appointed  to  meet  in  class,  thus : 
West  Circuit,  395 ;  East  Circuit,  145 ;  not  appointed  to 
classes,  56 ;  the  remainder  were  from  distant  and  other 
churches.  Members  justified,  —  West  Circuit,  83  ;  East 
Circuit,  63  ;  other  Circuits  and  churches,  29.  Members 
sanctified,  —  West  Circuit,  181;  East  Circuit,  98;  other 
churches,  56.  Total  justified,  825;  sanctified,  335.  Total, 
eleven  hundred  and  sixty." 

I  commenced  my  labors  on  the  East  Circuit,  on  the 
following  Sabbath,  in  Brunswick  chapel.  The  ministers  on 
this  Circuit  are,  the  Rev.  Alexander  Bell,  Superintendent; 
the  Rev.  John  Burton,  the  Rev.  William  B.  Stephenson, 
and  the  Rev.  James  Carr.  On  the  morning  of  the  11th 
inst.,  one  of  the  persons  recorded  in  the  above  table,  a 
female,  who  was  a  backshder,  called  upon  me,  in  company 
with  another.  So  great  had  been  her  distress,  she  could 
neither  eat  nor  sleep.  She  had  not,  it  seems,  fallen  from 
God  at  once,  by  any  heinous  sin,  but  declined  gradually,  till 
she  lost  the  life  of  God  totally  from  her  soul ;  and  now, 
awakened  to  a  sense  of  her  sa,d  condition,  she  was  inconso- 
lable. We  joined  in  prayer,  but  the  Lord  suffered  her  to 
leave  the  house  without  any  thing  more  than  a  cheering  ray 
of  hope  that  he  would  not  permit  her  to  die  an  alien  to  God. 
A  few  minutes  after,  when  walking  homeward  along  the 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IX  SHEFFIELD.    393 

street,  with  a  feeble  and  faltering  step,  the  Lord  met  her, 
and  said  to  her  heart,  "  Thou  art  mine ! "  Sorrow  was 
exchanged  for  joy  in  a  moment.  The  Saviour  conferred 
"  beauty  for  ashes  ;  "  and  she  pursued  her  way  with  a  glad 
heart  and  free,  rejoicing  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory.  I  saw  her  in  the  chapel  a  few  nights  afterwards. 
How  marked  the  change  in  the  woman's  countenance  !  The 
grief  and  despair  which,  at  the  time  I  first  saw  her,  rendered 
her  face  the  picture  of  agony  and  desolation,  were  all  gone, 
and  now,  calm,  serene  joy  beamed  out  upon  every  lineament 
of  it.  May  she  ever  stand  fast  in  that  hberty  wherewith 
Christ  has  made  her  free  !     Amen ! 

A  respectable  looking  young  man  called  upon  me  a  few 
days  ago.  ^'  I  walked  down  to  Ebenezer,"  said  he,  "  one 
evening,  and  heard  you  preach,  but  I  got  no  good  —  I  was 
perfectly  disgusted  —  I  wanted  smooth  things,  and  was  dis- 
appointed. I  went  again  to  hear  you,  and  was  dehghted ; 
but  still  remained  undecided  upon  the  great  question  of  my 
salvation.  One  night  I  had  a  dream.  I  Avas  in  a  certain 
place.  An  enormous  serpent  moved  towards  me.  Its  object 
seemed  to  be,  first  to  coil  itself  around  me  and  then  to  sting 
me  to  death.  My  struggles  against  its  motions  were  despe- 
rate. Finally  it  succeeded  to  entangle  me  in  its  folds,  and 
then  it  stung  me,  after  which  I  escaped.  I  thought  in  my 
dream,  I  would  return  and  destroy  the  serpent ;  but  when  I 
entered  the  place,  a  powerful  man  stood  there.  He  seized 
the  serpent,  held  it  up  in  his  hand,  and  dashed  its  head  upon 
the  ground  with  such  force  that  it  died,  and  then  trampled 
it  in  triumph.  I  awoke  in  a  great  state  of  excitement.  It 
was  then  impressed  upon  my  mind,  *  The  serpent  is  the 
devil ;  he  has  been  endeavoring  to  destroy  your  soul,  but 
you  shall  yet  conquer ;  nevertheless,  not  in  your  oaati  strength, 
but  by  another.'     The  following  evenmg  I  went  down  to 


394         DISPLAYS    OF  DIVINE   GLORY  IN   SHEFFIELD. 

Ebenezer.  Your  text  was,  '  Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and 
arise  from  the  dead,  and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light.'  During 
the  sermon,  you  said,  God  sometimes  spoke  to  sinners  in 
dreams.  You  read  a  striking  passage  in  the  Book  of  Job, 
and  said,  There  is  a  man  among  you  who  had  a  remarkable 
dream  last  night.  That  dream  was  a  warning  from  God  — 
beware  how  you  take  it  —  reject  it  not ;  the  design  of  it  is 
to  keep  your  soul  back  from  the  pit,  and  your  life  from 
perishing  by  the  sword  of  the  Lord.  My  feehngs,  during 
this  appeal,  were  in  a  sort  of  indescribable  amaze.  I  knew 
the  whole  was  for  me  —  from  God  himself."  The  person  in 
question  obtained  salvation  shortly  after.  Hallelujah !  The 
word  of  God  is  quick  and  powerful,  searching  the  inmost  of 
the  soul,  and  reveals  secret  things. 

There  have  been  several  cases  of  restitution  lately.  Among 
the  many  who  have  had  money  restored  them,  is  an  infidel. 
Upon  pocketing  the  cash,  he  said  with  a  sort  of  a  "compla- 
cent smile,"  such  as  he  had  not  accorded  to  religion  for  a 
great  while,  "  Well,  if  Christianity  can  make  a  thief  deliver 
up  my  money,  there  must,  after  all,  be  something  good  in  it. 
I  will  go  and  hear  for  myself."  Another  person,  a  few  days 
since,  made  restitution  to  an  innkeeper.  The  letter  in  which 
the  money  was  enclosed,  concluded  with  these  expressive 
words :  "A  Christian  now,  but  once  a  thief." 

The  confessions  of  some  of  these  awakened  sinners,  while 
pleading  for  mercy  at  the  communion-rail,  are  sometimes 
most  affecting.  The  other  night,  an  old  sinner  with  his 
wife,  were  kneeling  among  the  penitents.  His  agony  was 
very  great.  One  of  the  leaders  overheard  him  pray  thus : 
"  0  Lord,  I  never  offered  up  one  prayer  for  thirty  years. 
About  six  months  ago  my  son  was  converted  ;  since  then  I 
have  been  trying  to  alter  my  course  of  life.  But  I  have 
been  a  wicked  sinner ;  I  have  committed  all  sorts  of  wicked- 


DISPLAYS    OF  DIVINE    GLORY   IN   SHEFFIELD.  395 

ness.  0  Lord,  canst  thou  have  mercy  upon  such  a  sinner 
as  me  ?  Thou  knowcst  what  a  rascal  I  have  been  !  What 
an  oud  Sabbath-breaker !  0  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me  ! " 
On  being  informed  that  his  ^yife  had  obtained  mercy  from 
Heaven,  he  exclaimed :  "  0  Lord !  must  I  go  to  hell  be  me 
sen!^^*  The  agony  into  which  he  immediately  entered, 
proved  that  he  was  determined  to  accompany  his  old  woman 
to  a  better  region.  At  length,  with  Heaven  beaming  in  his 
face,  he  cried  out,  "  0  !  I  feel  something  come  into  my 
heart.  I  feel  that  the  Lord  has  sent  a  great  light  into  my 
poor  dark  soul.  The  Lord  has  removed  my  load ;  he  has 
pardoned  all  my  sins  for  Christ's  sake.  What  a  mercy 
that  the  Lord  should  have  mercy  upon  such  an  owe?  feller 
as  me !" 

The  Lord  has  enabled  me,  of  late,  to  describe  particular 
characters,  during  the  course  of  my  sermons,  with  wonderful, 
and,  in  some  cases,  with  what  appeared  miraculous  accuracy. 
Many  have  been  strangely  wrought  upon,  while  I  have  been 
relating  some  of  the  most  secret  parts  of  their  character  and 
doings.  Although  some  of  the  congregation  are  frequently 
subjected  to  various  charges  from  the  convicted  parties,  who 
insist  that  "  such  and  such  a  one "  has  been  telling  the 
preacher  all  about  them,  yet  the  results  are  often  astonish- 
ing. The  other  night,  while  preaching,  a  certain  character 
came  up  before  me  with  this  written  upon  him ;  A  Roman 
Catholic  in  the  gallery!  The  Lord  helped  me.  Poor 
fellow ;  while  scrambling  for  his  hat,  in  order  to  make  an 
escape  from  the  searching  truth  of  God,  he  heard  words 
whereby  he  might  be  saved.  Some  who  knew  him  were 
astonished ;  but  he  blamed  them,  and  complained  bitterly 
that  they  had  been  in  communication  with  me ;  "which,  of 

*  Yorkshire  dialect  for  "  by  myself," 


896    DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD. 

course,  they  positively  denied.     The  results  I  have  not  yet 
learned. 

On  the  3d  of  July  I  delivered  a  temperance  lecture  in  the 
Primitive  Methodist  chapel.  There  were  many  intelligent 
and  good  people  present,  but  a  larger  number  of  "  the  lowest 
of  the  low."  The  crowd  was  oppressive,  owing  in  part  to 
the  smallness  of  the  chapel.  Some  of  the  children  of  the 
devil  seemed  to  have  no  patience  with  each  other.  Each 
man,  aye  and  woman  too,  seemed  as  if  determined  "  to  main- 
tain a  footing."  Elbows  and  tongues  were  called  into  action, 
with  tremendous  energy  —  I  speak  now  of  the  crowds  on 
the  gallery  stairs,  and  the  masses  by  the  doors  —  the  rest 
of  the  audience  were  perfectly  well-behaved.  Some  en- 
deavored to  reconcile  the  conflicting  parties,  but  in  vain ; 
some  poor  women  were  pressed  almost  out  of  life  ;  and  others, 
with  their  gruff  voices,  and  powerful  elbows,  were  endeavor- 
ing to  defend  them ;  while  others  were  determined  to  get  in, 
if  they  should  climb  over  the  "heads  and  shoulders"  of  the 
mass.  Opposition  to  the  cause  of  temperance  did  not  pre- 
vail, I  believe,  in  a  single  breast.  But  all  were  resolved  upon 
hearing  the  lecture,  —  and  all  could  not  be  admitted,  —  and 
it  was  every  man  for  himself.  I  could  not  but  love  the  ex- 
cited throng,  although  they  gave  me  considerable  uneasiness. 
Finding  the  voice  of  authority  as  inefficient  as  the  chains 
of  Xerxes  to  bind  the  waves  of  the  Hellespont,  I  tried  chains 
of  another  kind.  The  ancient  painters,  you  may  remember, 
were  ambitious  to  describe  the  eloquence  of  Hercules  Celti- 
cus,  but,  unfortunately,  most  of  them  found  that  the  elo- 
quence of  attitude,  gesture,  and  expression  of  countenance, 
were  much  more  easily  described  upon  canvass  than  eloquence 
in  language.  One  of  them,  however,  "  determining  not  to 
be  outdone,"  represented  it  by  an  immense  number  of  golden 
chains  coming  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  orator,  and  reaching 


DISPLAYS   OF   DIVINE    GLORY   IN   SHEFFIELD.  397 

to  the  ears  of  great  multitudes.  A  capital  idea  !  Although 
it  spoiled  his  picture,  it  originated  an  aphorism,  —  Attention 
enchained  by  eloquence  ;  which  "  holds  good  "  to  the  present 
day.  If  eloquence  happened  to  be  absent  on  the  evening  in 
question,  argument  and  earnestness,  her  representatives, 
presided  with  considerable  effect.  Silence  signalized,  atten- 
tion chained  ;  but  the  mighty  work  was  to  keep  it  thus.  The 
devil,  in  the  case  of  Job,  either  would  not,  or  could  not,  afflict 
or  bind  his  tongue.  Some  think  the  arch  fiend  left  that  mem- 
ber at  liberty,  that  he  might  employ  it  in  bitter  complaints 
against  providence,  or  to  curse  God. 

The  moment  I  paused,  the  chains  were  snapped  from  at- 
tention, and  the  "  unruly  member,"  in  many  a  head,  was  set 
in  motion,  uttering  a  series  of  ejaculations,  interlocutions, 
emulations,  remonstrances,  and  interjections !  So,  to  keep 
their  tongues  quiet,  mine  had  to  attempt  something  like  per- 
petual motion ;  and  it  is  due  to  say,  after  the  first  ten  or 
fifteen  minutes  of  the  lecture,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
grumbles  now  and  again,  we  enjoyed  a  calm  that  was  credit- 
able to  the  speaker,  as  well  as  to  tee-totalism.  I  thought  of 
Lord  Bacon,  who  represents  the  influence  of  science  over 
the  minds  of  men,  as  bearing  some  resemblance  to  the  power 
of  the  harp  of  Orpheus  over  beasts  and  birds  —  they  all 
forgot  their  several  appetites,  some  for  prey,  some  for  game, 
others  for  quarrel,  and  stood  sociably  together,  listening  to 
the  airs  and  sweet  accords  of  the  wonderful  harp.  No 
sooner,  however,  had  the  sounds  ceased,  or  were  drowned  by 
some  louder  noise,  than  every  beast  returned  to  his  own  na- 
ture. This  noble  writer  considers  the  fable  a  fine  illustration 
of  the  power  of  truth  over  mind.  Naturally,  our  race  is 
full  of  savage  and  unreclaimed  desires,  of  profit,  of  lust,  of 
revenge  ;  and,  so  long  as  men  are  brought  together  by  pre- 
cepts, laws,  and  religion,  sweetly  touched  by  eloquence  and 
34 


398         DISPLAYS   OF   DIVINE    GLORY   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

persuasion  of  books,  sermons,  and  harangues,  so  long  is  the 
peace  of  society  maintained ;  but  if  these  instruments  of 
human  suasion  become  silent,  or  if  sedition  and  tumult  render 
their  voice  inaudible,  all  things  dissolve  into  anarchy  and 
confusion.  Certainly,  leaving  eloquence  out  of  the  question, 
my  harangue  had  this  influence  upon  the  agitated  mass  ;  and, 
when  they  were  elbowing  each  other,  and  exchanging  glances 
their  tongues  could  not  speak,  they  frequently  accorded  a 
truce  to  hostilities,  and  united  in  giving  the  lecturer  their  ap- 
proval, in  the  usual  method  of  clapping  and  stamping. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  about  three  hundred  persons 
came  forward,  and  testified  in  the  most  convincing  way  that 
circumstances  would  admit,  that  they  understood  and  appre- 
ciated the  arguments  of  the  stranger,  by  uniting  themselves 
with  the  Sheffield  Total  Abstinence  Society ;  that  is,  totally 
renouncing  the  use  of  every  beverage  employed  by  the  devil 
and  selfish  and  wicked  men  to  make  drunkards.  "  Is  there 
a  dealer  in  intoxicating  drinks,"  said  one,  "  that  would  be 
willing  to  read  the  history  of  his  sales  ?  Such  a  history 
would  joierce  his  soul,  and  terrify  his  imagination  with  images 
the  most  dark  and  horrible.  The  moral  infection  that  has 
been  engendered  by  his  sales  alone,  would  darken  the  air 
around  him."  I  would  add,  could  those  Christian  gentle- 
men, who  indulge  in  wine,  ale,  and  porter,  to  speak  of  noth- 
ing stronger,  read  the  history  of  their  example,  during  the 
last  ten  or  fifteen  years  "  of  their  practice,"  perhaps  "  an 
imagery  "  might  arise  that  would  go  far  to  pain  their  souls 
also,  and  terrify  their  imagination.  It  is  difficult,  under  cer- 
tain circumstances,  to  avoid  reflections  of  this  kind.  At  the 
table  of  hospitality  sits  the  minister  of  Christ,  —  the  pat- 
ron, in  word  and  deed,  of  the  wine-bottle  and  ale-jug. 
Around  that  man  are  seated  the  youthful  branches  of  an  in- 
teresting family,  who  accord  to  his  indulgence  a  ready  and 


DISPLAYS   OF  DIVINE   GLORY  IN   SHEFFIELD.  399 

willing  imitation.  The  father  and  mother  of  that  family  are 
little  aware,  how,  by  such  a  clerical  example,  they  are  haz- 
ardmg  the  well-being  of  their  children  for  this  world  and  the 
next.  No  man  that  has  seen  much  of  the  world,  and  the 
miseries  arising  from  these  fascinating  and  dangerous  drinks, 
can  look  upon  such  a  scene  without  a  secret  alarm.  Alas !  I 
have  thought,  when  contemplating  such  a  scene,  could  this 
good  man  read  the  futui-e  history  of  all  these  young  people,  not 
to  speak  of  the  older  guests,  how  deeply  would  he  be  affected 
by  his  example  !  Were  the  fingers  of  a  man's  hand  to  come 
out  upon  the  walls  of  this  dming-room,  and  write  in  legible 
characters  the  future  history  of  some  one  of  these  young 
persons  who  may  yet  be  ruined,  soul  and  body,  by  these 
drinks,  and  by  his  example  too,  we  might  behold  him  as  Bel- 
shazzer  of  old,  (Dan.  v.,)  his  countenance  changed,  his 
thoughts  troubling  him,  the  joints  of  his  loins  loosed,  and  his 
knees  smiting  one  against  another.  Perhaps  it  was  in  reference 
to  the  consequences  of  our  example,  that  the  apostle  advises, 
that  it  is  good  neither  to  drink  wine,  nor  any  thing  where- 
by thy  brother  stumbleth,  is  offended,  or  made  weak,  (Rom. 
xiv.,)  —  a  good  New  Testament  tee-total  pledge  this  surely, 
when  the  church  of  God  thinks  it  proper  to  take  it  up,  and 
act  upon  it  as  a  sacred  rule  of  Christian  conduct.  I  could 
write  much  upon  the  direful  evils  arising  from  ministerial  ex- 
ample in  drinking  and  smoking  —  but  I  forbear.  How  such 
men  canconsistently  expect  God  to  bless  their  ministry  in  the 
awakening  and  conversion  of  many  sinners,  I  cannot  well 
conceive,  unless  they  suppose  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  desirous 
of  setting  the  seal  of  his  approbation  upon  their  habits, 
and  thus  imparting  a  greater  weight  and  influence  to  their 
pernicious  example. 

On  the  night  of  Thursday,  18th  inst.,  we  were  favored 
with  a  most  extraordinary  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in 


400    DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD. 

B.unswick  chapel.  The  sermon  was  designed  only  as  pre- 
paratory to  the  discourse  I  had  set  apart  for  the  following 
night,  which  was  to  be,  The  nature  of  that  faith  which 
purifies  the  heart.  On  the  night  in  question,  I  had  that  fine 
passage  for  my  text :  "  But  the  God  of  all  grace,  who  hath 
called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory  by  Christ  Jesus,  after  that 
ye  have  suffered  a  while,  make  you  perfect,  stablish,  strength- 
en, settle  you."  1  Peter  v.  10.  I  was  led  to  lay  down  the 
following  proposition :  That  many  are  called  to  pass  through 
a  series  of  mental,  physical,  and  providential  sufferings,  before 
they  are  sanctified  entirely,  throughout  soul,  body,  and 
spirit. 

At  the  close  of  the  discourse,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
show  there  was  neither  merit  in  such  a  process  of  suffering, 
nor  any  necessity  for  it,  if  his  servants  were  only  wiUing  he 
should  cut  the  work  short  in  rigliteousness,  and  save  them  by 
faith.  The  cry  of  many  hearts  was,  "  Lay  down  the  rod  of 
chastisement,  0  Lord,  and  save  us  by  faith."  Beholding  the 
people  much  affected,  I  concluded  to  leave  them  with  God. 
Hundreds  fell  down  upon  their  knees  at  once.  I  requested 
them  to  talk  with  God,  for  he  had  come  down  among  them 
in  "  very  deed."  "  Now,  Lord,"  I  said,  "  the  people  are  at 
thy  feet ;  hear  them !  For  Christ's  sake,  hear  them  !  At- 
tend to  their  confessions ;  hear  their  cries,  and  save  them  1 
Save  them  by  faith  !  If  they  only  believe  that  they  do  re- 
ceive, they  shall,  on  that  instant,  receive  all  —  all  that  is  in 
thee.  Thy  mouth,  0  Lord  God,  hath  spoken  the  word." 
Prayer  became  general  over  the  entire  chapel  —  galleries 
and  all  —  two  thousand  people  were  bowed  as  the  heart  of 
one  man.  What  could  stand  before  this  ?  Neither  hell,  sin, 
unbelief,  devils,  nor  sinners.  The  power  of  God  came  down. 
The  supplications  of  believers  for  purity,  and  the  piercing 
cries  of  penitent  sinners  for  mercy  filled  my  soul  with  amaze. 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD.    401 

I  have  witnessed  a  few  scenes  of  the  kind  in  the  course  of  my 
ministry;  but  never  any  thing  so  universal  and  so  tremendous, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  accompanied  with  so  little  of  any  thing 
that  could  be  imputed  to  human  extravagance  ;  — -  it  was  the 
prayer  of  faith  in  every  heart  —  mighty,  omnipotent,  pre- 
vailing prayer !  Twenty-four  weeping  but  triumphant  con- 
verts, who  had  within  the  last  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  ob- 
tained the  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  fifty  individuals  who  had 
received  purity  of  heart,  passed  successively  out  of  the 
chapel  into  one  of  the  vestries,  to  declare  there  what  great 
things  God  had  wrought  within  them.  How  many  more 
received  remission  of  sins,  and  purity,  during  that  wonderful 
visitation,  perhaps  we  shall  never  know  till  the  judgment  day. 
I  should  have  informed  you,  that  Brunswick  chapel  be- 
longs to  Sheffield  East  Circuit.  My  visit  to  that  chapel  was 
in  accordance  with  the  earnest  and  affectionate  request  of  the 
Superintendent,  the  Rev.  Alexander  Bell.  I  finished  my 
labors  in  Carver  Street  on  the  5th  instant. 

The  views  of  the  official  men,  at  Sheffield,  of  Mr.  C.  and 
his  revival  labors,  may  be  seen  in  the  following  : 

"  253,  Glossop  Road,  Sheffield, 
June  27,  1844. 

"  Rev.  James  Caughey, 
"My  dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  the  honor  of  forwarding  to  you  a  copy  of  a  reso- 
lution, passed  by  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  not  only  unani- 
mously, but  in  connection  with  addresses  from  several  of  our 
preachers  and  leading  friends,  to  which  every  member 
seemed  to  respond ;  and  which  indicated  intense  interest  in 
your  operations,  and  a  high  degree  of  respect  and  affection 
for  yourself. 

34* 


402    DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD. 

"  It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  make  a  communication  so 
much  in  accordance  with  my  own  views  and  feeUngs  ;  and  I 
trust  we  *  shall  see  greater  things  than  these.'  I  am,  reverend 
and  dear  Sir,  yours  faithfully, 

"Samuel  Hill  Smith." 

"  Copy  of  a  Resolution  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the 
Sheffield  West  Circuit,  held  June  the  24th,  1844.  Passed 
unanimously,  on  the  motion  of  the  senior  Circuit  steward, 
seconded  by  his  colleague. 

'' Jlesolvedy  That  this  meeting  would  gratefully  acknowl- 
edge the  goodness  of  God  in  rendering  the  course  of  special 
services,  now  in  progress,  so  effectual  in  promoting  a  revival 
of  his  work ;  and,  whilst  it  would  acknowledge  the  spirit  of 
love  and  zeal,  evinced  by  its  own  ministers  and  members,  it 
would  especially  express  its  sense  of  the  influence  which  the 
continuance,  during  the  last  six  weeks,  of  the  affectionate, 
enlightened,  and  powerful  ministrations  of  the  Rev.  James 
Caughey,  has  excited  in  bringing  about  a  religious  awakening, 
which  has  already  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  many  sinners, 
and  the  deepening  of  the  work  of  grace  in  the  hearts  of 
many  believers.  And  the  meeting  further  resolves,  that  its 
warmest  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  Caughey  for  his  kind  accept- 
ance of  an  invitation  to  visit  this  Circuit,  and  his  subsequent 
efficient  labors  in  it. 

"  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  meeting, 

"  J.  P.  Haswell,  Chairman, 
Samuel  Hill  Smith,  )  ^i.        j   »» 
T.  LOFTHOUSE,  I  Stewards." 

A  few  days  ago,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  taking  dinner  in 
company  with  James  Montgomery,  Esquire,  the  Sheffield 
poet.  The  honor  was  done  me  by  the  kindness  and  hospital- 
ity of  Mr.  Smith,  the  writer  of  the  above  letter.     We  spent 


DISPLAYS    OF   DIVINE    GLORY   IN    SHEFFIELD.  403 

an  hour  or  two  most  agreeably  in  conversation.  I  little 
thought,  when  reading  the  two  volumes  of  his  poems,  wliich 
grace  your  library,  that  I  should,  in  England  —  in  Sheffield, 
see  and  converse  with  the  poet  himself. 

This  month,  up  till  within  the  last  few  days,  has  been 
marked  with  a  long  and  alarming  drought.  Sabbath  morn- 
ing week,  I  felt  it  on  my  heart,  while  in  the  pulpit  in  Carver 
Street  chapel,  to  offer  up  publicly,  "the  prayer  of  faith" 
for  rain.  The  effect  upon  many  present  was  remarkable. 
Some  thought  it  must  rain  immediately.  Others  were  lifting 
up  their  eyes  to  the  windows,  expecting  the  usual  tokens  every 
moment.  Many  were  concerned  about  their  light  shoes  and 
clothing  ;  others  were  thinking  seriously  of  sending  off  for 
their  umbrellas.  Alas!  they  were  disappointed.  When 
leaving  the  chapel,  they  smiled  at  their  simpHcity  on  observ- 
ing the  heavens  to  be  as  "  clear  and  cloudless "  as  ever. 
But,  as  Sammy  Hicks  said,  it  had  to  "  come  from  the  sea;" 
faith  said.  Wait  and  expect  it.  On  the  night  of  the  same 
day,  that  God,  who  causeth  the  vapors  to  ascend  from  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  who  uttering  his  voice  and  there  is  a 
multitude  of  waters  in  the  heavens,  who  maketh  lightnings 
with  rain,  and  bringeth  forth  the  wind  out  of  his  treasuries, 
(Psalm  cxxxv.  7  ;  Jer.  x.  13,)  favored  the  thirsty  earth  with 
a  refreshing  shower  of  rahi.  Hallelujah !  the  Lord  God 
omnipotent  reigneth ;  a  prayer-answering  as  well  as  a  sin- 
pardoning  God. 

Since  the  date  of  my  last,  I  changed  my  residence  to  the 
mansion  of  Jonathan  Beet,  Esq.,*  father  of  my  late  host,  Mr. 
AVilliam  Beet.  He  is,  I  believe,  the  oldest  member  of  the 
Wesley  an  church  in  Sheffield  ;  an  intelligent,  agreeable,  and 
venerable  servant  of  the  living  God.  In  both  families  I  have 
been  treated  with  great  kindness  and  hospitality.     That  they 

*  Since  gone  to  his  reward  in  heaven. 


404  DISPLAYS    OF   DIVINE   GLORY   IN   SHEFFIELD 

may  have  their  reward,  not  only  in  the  present  life,  but  in 
the  resurrection  of  the  just,  is  the  prayer  of  their  grateful 
guest. 

I  enjoyed  a  pleasant  ride  the  other  day,  in  company  with 
Mr.  John  Unwin,  to  Norton ;  a  pretty  neighborhood,  a  few 
miles  from  Sheffield  ;  and  dined  at  Norton  House,  the  resi- 
dence of  one  of  our  Wesleyan  friends,  Thomas  B.  Holy, 
Esq.  It  is  an  ancient,  baronial-hke  mansion,  partly  covered 
with  ivy,  venerable  in  aspect,  and  "  beautiful  for  situation." 
We  spent  several  hours  most  agreeably  with  Mr.  Holy  and 
his  excellent  and  pious  lady.  Before  dinner,  we  walked 
through  the  old  chui'ch.  Norton  is  the  birthplace  of  the 
celebrated  sculptor,  Francis  Chantrey ;  one  of  the  greatest 
artists  whom  England  has  produced.  There  is  a  monument  to 
his  memory  in  the  church,  of  plain  white  marble,  enriched 
with  a  medallion  likeness  of  the  artist  —  an  exquisite  piece 
of  sculpture.  His  remains  repose  a  few  yards  from  the 
church,  encompassed  by  an  iron  palisading.  A  short  time 
before  his  death  he  came  down  from  London  to  choose  his 
place  of  sepulture.  In  doing  so,  he  remarked  to  the  aged 
clergyman  of  the  parish,  "  But  I  do  not  intend  you  to  bury 
me  ; "  but  he  did  so,  very  shortly  after. 

My  home  at  present  is  Shirley  House,  near  Sheffield,  the 
residence  of  Nathaniel  Greaves,  Esq.  It  is  a  lovely  spot, 
quite  retired.  The  grounds  are  not  extensive,  but  "the 
touch  of  taste  is  every  where  around;"  "well-assorted 
hues,"  and  "graceful  mixtures"  with  "level  walks  and  foliaged 
bowers,"  "  the  fair  results  of  thought,  the  creature  of  a 
pohshed  mind."  In  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Greaves  I  have  found 
two  excellent  friends,  for  whom  I  trust  to  praise  God  in 
heaven.  May  our  friendship  be  perpetuated  for  ever  !  I  am 
thankful  to  my  kind  and  gracious  Lord  for  the  mercies  which 
enclose  me  around.     I  may  well  blush,  when  I  think  of  my 


DISPLAYS  OF  DIVINE  GLORY  IN  SHEFFIELD.    405 

divine  Master,  "  who  led  a  suffering  life,  inured  to  poverty 
and  pain,"  while  I  have  all,  and  abound.  "  The  servant 
is  above  his  Lord  !  '* 

•'  Had  I  the  choice  of  sublunary  good, 
What  could  I  wish,  that  I  possess  not  here  ? 
Health,  leisure,  means  t'  improve  it,  friendship,  peace, 
And  constant  occupation,  without  care  !  " 

I  am  preaching,  however,  at  the  usual  rate  —  six  times  a 
week,  prayer  meeting  on  Monday  night,  reserving  only 
Saturday  night  for  myself.  The  revival  shows  no  pause. 
Multitudes  of  sinners  are  turning  to  God  on  every  hand.  A 
Sabbath  or  two  ago,  more  than  one  hundred  and  sixty  per- 
sons were  saved  in  one  day.     Glory  and  praise  be  unto  God  ! 

A  few  days  since,  I  planted,  in  the  presence  of  a  company 
of  friends,  two  small  trees,  a  cedar  and  a  yew,  in  the  la■\^Tl 
of  Shirley  House.  They  are  named  "  after  "me,  and  seem 
to  be  doing  well.  This  month,  thus  far,  and  the  last,  have 
been  the  happiest  in  my  life.  The  holy  joy  and  rest  in  God 
I  have  felt  in  my  soul,  have  been  inexpressibly  sweet  and 
dehghtful. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

CONCLUDINa  INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

This  may  be  termed  the  Sunday  School  Teacher's  chap- 
ter, because  of  the  beautiful  letter  of  Mr.  Chaloner  to  Mr. 
Caughey,  describing  a  great  work  of  God  among  the  children 
of  Red  Hill  Sabbath  School  in  Sheffield,  That  letter  ought 
to  be  read  in  every  American  Sabbath  school.  It  demon- 
strates the  possibility  of  sound  conversion  and  of  extensive 
revivals  among  children. 

This  chapter  carries  the  narrative  of  Mr.  Caughey's 
labors  down  to  the  8th  of  September,  1844,  the  date  on 
which  he  closed  his  wondrously  successful  efforts  in  Shef- 
field. 

On  the  evening  of  August  1,  1844,  we  held  a  meeting 
for  the  benefit  of  the  new  converts,  in  Brunswick  chapel, 
similar  to  those  I  have  described  in  former  letters.  About 
three  hundred  and  seventy-five  new  converts  were  present ; 
it  was  a  most  gracious  season,  a  confirming  and  strengthen- 
ing time,  to  those  who  had  but  just  commenced  the  heavenly 
race. 

Shortly  after  the  above  meeting,  I  received  the  following 
note  from  the  secretary.     It  will  show  you  the  wonderful 
character  of  the  revival  in  Brunswick  chapel :  — 
406 


CONCLUDING  INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD.  407 

"  Sheffield  Moor,  August  3,  1844. 
"Very  dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  forwarding  to  you  a  copy 
from  our  book,  (as  on  other  side,)  of  the  numbers  up  to  the 
present  time.  Truly  we  may  say, '  What  hath  God  wrought ! ' 
"  That  you  may  be  strengthened  in  body  and  blessed  in 
soul,  and  rendered  instrumental  of  still  greater  good,  is  the 
sincere  and  earnest  prayer  of 

"  Yours  very  respectfully, 

"Abraham  Sharman. 

"  Special  services,  held  in  Brunswick  chapel,  Sheffield,  — 
remits,  —  from  July  Tth  to  August  2d,  1844. 

Week  ending 

July  12. 

"  19. 

"  26.        . 

Aug.  2.        . 


From  the 
World. 

In 

Society. 

Sanctified. 

Per  Week. 

TotaL 

,     200 

39 

51 

290 

,     180 

32 

152 

364 

,     222 

44 

96 

362 

,     140 

28 

76 

244 

12G0.' 

It  is  proper  to  remark  that  many  of  the  above,  wJio  were 
from  the  world,  resided  in  country  Circuits,  and  within  the 
range  of  other  churches.  On  their  return,  they  joined  their 
respective  churches  in  their  own  localities.  Still  the  Wesley- 
ans  claim  by  far  the  largest  proportion.  I  shall  endeavor  to 
find  out  what  the  real  increase  is  lilvely  to  be,  as  realized  by 
the  \Yesleyan  church  in  Sheffield,  and  what  proportion  of 
the  above  numbers  were  members  in  the  two  Circuits  in 
town,  and  shall  state  the  same,  if  possible,  in  my  next 
communication. 

On  the  4th  instant,  (August,)  we  commenced  a  series  of 
special  services  in  Norfolk  Street  chapel,  which  continued 
through  eighteen  days.  I  had  little  of  that  comfort  and 
satisfaction  in  this  chapel  that  I  had  at  Ebenezer,  Carver 
Street,  and  Brunswick  chapels.  There  was  something  there, 
in  my  apprehension,  that  grieved  the  Holy  Spirit ;  still  the 


408  CONCLUDING   INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

results  were  very  great.  From  the  world,  more  than  four 
hundred  souls ;  about  two  hundred  of  whom,  I  understand, 
joined  the  circuit  to  which  Norfolk  Street  chapel  belongs, 
and  above  one  hundred  united  with  the  other  Circuit.  I  was 
surprised  to  find,  that  of  so  many  hundreds  saved,  so  few 
belonged  to  the  Norfolk  Street  congregation.  Why,  I  can- 
not tell.  The  Lord  knoweth ;  for  all  things  are  naked  and 
open  to  Him,  with  whom  we  have  to  do.  Perhaps  they  may 
yield  themselves  to  God  suddenly,  even  before  I  leave  the 
town ;  for  in  this  revival,  nothing  but  what  is  quite  impossible 
seems  difficult. 

"  Like  mighty  winds  or  torrents  fierce, 
It  doth  opposers  all  o'erturn." 

I  forgot  to  add  that  nearly  three  hundred  believers  pro- 
fessed to  obtain  purity  of  heart  during  the  services  in  Norfolk 
Street.  All  glory  be  to  God  !  He  doeth  the  works.  His 
arm  is  mighty.  What  can  withstand  his  power  ?  Sin,  the 
devil,  hell  and  its  powers,  sinners  and  their  errors  in  doc- 
trines and  practice,  must  fly  or  fall  before  the  influences  of 
the  Spirit,  as  chaff  before  the  wind.  Hallelujah!  The 
Lord   God  omnipotent  reigneth.     Amen  and  amen ! 

I  am  sure  the  following  letter,  written  to  me  by  a  superin- 
tendent of  one  of  the  Sabbath  schools  of  this  town,  will  be 
interesting  to  you.  You  may  depend  upon  the  statements 
it  contains.  If  you  think  proper,  you  may  read  it  to  the 
children  of  your  Sabbath  school.  It  will  show  them  how 
English  children  are  afiected  by  the  truths  of  the  gospel. 
Perhaps  the  teachers  may  also  profit  by  it.  By  this  docu- 
ment they  may  learn  how  deeply  some  of  the  teachers  and 
superintendents  of  Sunday  schools  in  England  are  concerned 
for  the  conversion  of  the  children  committed  to  their  care. 
The  great  design  of  their  labors  is  not  merely  to  teach  the 
pupils  to  read,  (this  and  other  branches  of  learning  may  be 


CONCLUDING   INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD.  409 

acquired  in  the  week-day  schools,)  but  to  bring  them  to  an 
early  and  to  an  experimental  acquaintance  with  God.  This 
should  be  the  end,  the  distinct  aim  of  all  who  labor  in  the 
Sabbath  school.  The  object  of  such  institutions  is  scarcely 
half  accomplished,  if  the  instruction  does  not  result  in  the 
conversion  of  the  scholar  before  his  final  dismission  from  the 
school. 

"  Sheffield,  Church  Street,  July  9j  1844. 
"  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

"  I  have  thought  several  times  you  might  not  deem  it 
impertinent  in  me  if  I  were  to  inform  you  what  God  has 
been  doing  for  us  at  Red  Hill  school. 

"  Sunday,  July  7th,  was  the  most  glorious  day  ever 
witnessed  in  connection  with  the  services  of  that  institution. 
Many  special  seasons  have  occurred  in  its  history,  (one  in 
particular,  I  remember,  during  which  seventy  children  pro- 
fessed to  obtain  the  forgiveness  of  their  sins,)  but  the  oldest 
laborer  in  the  institution  declares,  that  this  gracious  visitation 
from  on  high  surpasses  them  all.  A  few  friends  met  acci- 
dentally last  week,  and  in  the  course  of  conversation,  it  was 
suggested  that,  now  the  special  services  were  removed  from 
the  neighborhood  of  the  school,  something  should  be  done 
to  insure  the  stability  of  the  work  of  God,  so  far  as  it  had 
extended  among  the  children.  It  was  agreed,  therefore, 
that  all  the  teachers  should  be  specially  invited  to  attend  on 
Sunday  morning,  that  such  plans  might  be  adopted  as  would 
best  conduce  to  that  object.  When  they  met,  it  was  agreed 
that  those  children  and  teachers  who  had  received  blessings 
during  the  revival,  should  be  called  out  of  the  school-room 
into  the  vestry,  while  a  verse  was  being  sung ;  that,  while 
two  of  the  friends  made  minute  inquiries  into  the  spiritual 
state  of  each  child,  and  whether  she  had  met  in  the  class  to 
which  she  had  been  appointed  at  the  chapel,  one  of  the 
35 


410  CONCLUDING   INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

superintendents  should  deliver  a  short  address  in  the  school, 
and  commence  a  prayer  meeting,  inviting  all  who  felt  a 
desire  to  save  their  souls  to  come  forward  to  be  prayed  for. 
The  vestry  was  shortly  filled  with  children  who  had  been 
saved  at  the  chapels,  and  it  was  a  glorious  sight ;  and  soon 
after  brother  James  Wilkinson  had  spoken  a  few  solemn 
words,  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  descended  and  melted 
us  all  into  tears.  It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  we  could 
get  to  our  work  of  inquiry ;  but,  when  entered  upon,  it  was 
most  satisfactory.  Out  of  more  than  eighty  present,  only 
nine  had  not  been  to  class ;  and  some  of  the  nine  had  only 
been  saved  on  the  Thursday  evening  previously,  and  had  not 
had  the  opportunity.  Before,  however,  we  had  got  through 
this  part  of  our  blessed  labor,  the  room  was  again  half  filled 
with  girls,  who,  with  streaming  eyes  and  joyful  countenances, 
came  to  tell  us  what  God  had  done  for  their  souls  in  the 
prayer  meeting  that  was  being  carried  on  in  the  school-room. 
From  this  time  (soon  after  eleven  o'clock)  the  children 
continued  to  throng  into  the  vestry  until  nearly  twelve, 
when  eighty-two  precious  souls  were  rejoicing  in  a  sin- 
pardoning  God,  and  were  appointed  to  suitable  classes. 
During  all  tliis  time  my  hands  were  so  full  I  had  not  an 
opportunity  to  mingle  with  our  friends  in  the  school-room ; 
and  though  we  felt  the  presence  of  God  with  us  in  the 
vestry,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  yet  I  am  told  that  the 
scene  in  the  school-room,  and  the  glory  felt,  surpassed 
description.  At  one  period  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  con- 
gregation of  teachers  and  children  w^ere  bowed  down  with 
the  weight  of  the  overshadowing  glory.  Hundreds  were  in 
distress ;  and  it  seemed  a  small  matter  for  the  whole  school 
to  be  saved.  In  the  afternoon,  the  prayer  meeting  was 
commenced  again,  and  sixty-three  more  souls  entered  into 
the  glorious  liberty  of  the  gospel.     The  whole  number  for 


CONCLUDING   INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD.  411 

the  day  being  one  hundred  and  forty-five.  All  glory  be  to 
God  !  We  little  expected  such  a  result  when  God  first  put 
it  in  our  hearts  to  care  for  the  stability  of  the  work  among 
the  children ;  and  our  cry  is  now,  '  Lord,  what  shall  we  do 
next  ? '  And  I  thmk  there  seems  to  be  no  answer  but 
'  Walk  by  the  same  rule,  mind  the  same  thmg.'  The  Lord 
help  us ! 

"  I  should  say  that  these  details  refer  only  to  the  girls' 
school,  in  which  there  are  above  five  hundred  scholars, 
nearly  half  of  whom  are  now  professing  to  believe  on  Jesus 
Christ  to  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  There  were  also  at 
least  two  clear  instances  of  entire  sanctification. 

"  I  have  written  much  more  than  I  thought  would  be 
necessary.  Please  to  pardon  my  prolixity,  and  beheve  me 
to  remain,  ever  yours,  most  affectionately, 

"  G.  Chaloner." 

After  finishing  his  labors  in  Norfolk  Street  chapel,  Mr. 
Caughey  revisited  the  other  chapels,  spending  a  day  or  two 
in  each.  He  also  spent  one  Sabbath  in  Bridgehouse's  chapel. 
He  closes  his  account  of  the  Sheffield  revival  in  the  following 

words : 

As  the  time  of  my  departure  from  Sheffield  approached, 
public  excitement,  and  anxiety  to  hear  the  gospel,  became 
deeper  and  more  widely  extended.  The  congregations  were 
overwhelming,  and  my  labors  excessive.  In  consequence 
of  which,  I  regret  to  find  I  have  made  but  very  few  notes 
of  our  proceedings.  Borne  onward  from  one  wave  of  feeling 
to  another,  I  find  myself  in  London ;  and  the  events  of  the 
last  few  weeks  appear  more  "  like  a  stormy  and  troubled 
dream"  than  reaUties,  leaving  me  but  few  materials  by 
which  to  enrich  a  letter  to  my  friend.  This  may  suffice,  that 
hundreds  more  were  saved,  and  multitudes  of  sinners  besides 


412  CONCLUDING  INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

were  awakened  to  a  concern  for  their  souls,  which  it  is  to  be 
hoped  they  may  never  lose. 

I  spent  two  evenings,  before  leaving  Sheffield,  with  the 
ministers  and  leaders.  The  first  evening  with  the  officials 
of  the  West  Circuit,  in  Carver  Street  band-room.  The  Rev. 
J.  P.  Haswell,  Superintendent,  presided.  There  are  about 
fifty  local  preachers,  and  more  than  twice  that  number  of 
class  leaders  on  the  Circuit,  the  greater  part  of  whom  were 
present.  After  tea,  Mr.  Haswell  introduced  the  business 
of  the  meeting,  desiring  the  leaders  to  give  some  account 
of  the  state  of  their  classes,  and  the  number  and  character 
of  the  new  converts  which  had  been  committed  to  their  care. 
Those  who  had  obtained  the  largest  accessions  spoke  first. 
Their  testimonies  were  most  cheering  and  satisfactory.  0,  it 
was  a  gracious  and  melting  season !  The  brethren  were  all 
greatly  favored  of  the  Lord.  Their  lips  seemed  touched 
with  celestial  fire.  They  spoke  with  uncommon  Hberty, 
power,  unction,  and  propriety.  Some  related  cases  of  con- 
version of  a  very  remarkable  character.  Others  told  some 
thrilling  incidents  in  the  history  and  experience  of  those 
lately  brought  in.  My  heart  was  greatly  comforted.  The 
reaction,  about  which  some  had  prophesied,  I  felt  sure  would 
not  come.  I  told  the  leaders  all  my  heart,  all  I  hoped,  all 
I  had  feared.  I  pleaded  the  necessity  of  taking  care  of 
those  who  had  been  rescued  from  the  devil  and  the  world  ; 
urged  on  their  attention,  that  much  depended  upon  their 
faithfulness  as  leaders,  in  care,  prayer,  zeal,  watchfulness, 
and  perseverance,  whether  the  multitudes  saved  should  be 
preserved  from  going  back  into  the  world.  The  manner  in 
which  these  dear  brethren  responded,  left  an  impression  upon 
my  heart  of  gratitude,  confidence,  and  joy,  which  I  shall 
remember  for  ever.  Mr.  Haswell  closed  with  prayer.  And 
such  a  prayer !    We  had  "  showers  of  blessings."    It  seemed 


CONCLUDING   INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD.  413 

as  if  the  heavens  were  opened,  as  if  God  and  angels  came 
down  among  men.  The  powers  of  the  world  to  come  over- 
shadowed, and  sweetly  possessed,  and  filled  every  soul.  He 
prayed  for  the  uninterrupted  progress  of  the  work  of  God ; 
for  the  stability  of  the  new  converts;  but  especially  for  me : 
and  in  such  strains  of  heavenly  eloquence  as  must  have 
surprised  himself,  and  with  such  a  glowing  fervency  of  soul 
as  utterly  amazed  and  overpowered  me.  May  my  most 
gracious  God  answer  that  wonderful  prayer,  (for  if  ever  a 
prayer  opened  heaven,  and  entered  into  the  ears  of  the 
Almighty,  and  moved  him  to  do  yet  greater  and  more  won- 
drous things,  that  prayer  surely  did,)  and  bless  his  precious 
servant,  and  reward  him  for  his  kindness  to  mo.  a  stranger 
in  a  strange  land !     Amen  and  amen  ! 

I  had  the  privilege  of  a  similar  meeting,  the  following 
night,  with  the  brethren  in  the  East  Circuit,  in  Norfolk 
Street  band  or  school-room.  This  also  was  a  gracious 
season  ;  but  hardly  equal  to  the  previous  night.  The  leaders 
indeed,  spoke  equally  well,  and  pledged  themselves  quite  as 
heartily  and  sincerely  to  take  all  possible  care  of  the  recent 
subjects  of  mercy.  But  the  Rev.  Alexander  Bell,  and  his 
excellent  colleagues,  who  had  seen  this  great  work,  and  who 
took  a  rejoicing  interest  in  its  advancement,  were  not  there  ; 
they  had  gone  to  their  new  Circuits.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Filter, 
the  new  Superintendent,  was  exceedingly  kind,  and  mani- 
fested a  strong  desire  to  have  the  meeting  every  way  agree- 
able to  myself.  One  or  two  of  the  new  preachers  were 
present,  who  of  course  could  not  be  expected  to  have  such 
deep  sympathies  with  the  work  as  those  who  had  been  so 
ardently  engaged  in  it  durmg  the  last  four  eventful  months. 
I  find  it  difficult  at  present  to  give  you  those  accurate  sta- 
tistics which  you  desire,  as  to  the  extent  of  the  revival. 
But  the  number  saved  must  be  very  great ;  of  this  I  shall 
35* 


414  CONCLUDING  INCIDENTS  IN   SHEFFIELD. 

be  better  able  to  inforfli^ou  on  my  return  from  the  conti- 
nent. The  brethren,  the  leaders  and  secretaries,  will  then 
have  had  time  to  compare  notes  ;  by  which  they  will  ascer- 
tain, with  considerable  accuracy,  the  actual  accessions  to 
the  Wesleyan  church  on  the  two  Circuits ;  and  the  exact 
numbers  who  belonged  to  other  churches  in  town  and 
country. 

Thus  delightfully  terminated  Mr.  Caughey's  remarkable 
career  in  Sheffield.  To  the  curious  reader,  the  following 
statement  from  a  pamphlet  published  in  Sheffield  some 
eighteen  months  after  he  left,  will  be  deeply  interesting.  It 
shows  how  fruitful  oi  permanent  good  were  his  wonderful 
efforts. 

The  author  says :  "  The  annexed  Statistical  Account  of 
the  Special  Services  held  in  Sheffield,  during  1844,  by  the 
Rev.  James  Caughey,  carefully  compiled  from  the  register 
books  kept  on  those  occasions,  will  be  viewed  with  deep 
interest,  and  may  tend  to  throw  light  upon  some  of  the 
anomalies  hitherto  regarded  as  inseparable  from  revival 
movements.  Perhaps  so  complete  a  summary  of  a  revival 
has  never  before  been  made  public." 

On  this  extract,  Mr.  Caughey  makes  the  following 
comments : 

In  looking  over  the  table  to  which  the  author  refers,  I 
perceive  that  more  than  three  thousand  sinners  were  con- 
verted to  Grod ;  and  upwards  of  fourteen  hundred  believers 
professed  to  have  obtained  purity  of  heart,  or  entire  sancti- 
fication.  Matt.  v.  8  ;  1  Thess.  v.  23  ;  1  John  iv.  17,  18. 
About  eleven  hundred  of  the  latter  class  belonged  to  the 
two  Circuits  in  the  town ;  the  remainder  were  members  of 
other  churches  in  and  around  Sheffield,     Of  those  justified, 


CONCLUDING  INCIDENTS  IN   SHEFFIELD.  415 

upwards  of  five  hundred  were  already  members;  persons 
who  either  never  had  been  regenerated,  though  meeting 
regularly  in  class,  or  who  had  been  living  in  a  backsHding 
state.  Hundreds  of  the  abovementioned  three  thousand 
persons,  were  from  distant  towns,  "  people  of  the  world," 
Hving  chiefly  within  the  bounds  of  the  Shefiield  District, 
and  who,  doubtless,  united  with  churches  in  their  respective 
neighborhoods.  Speaking  of  those  which  belonged  to  Shef- 
field, the  author  remarks  :  "  With  regard  to  these  it  may  be 
stated,  that  many  either  could  not  be  found  by  the  address 
they  gave,  or  never  attended  class ;  some  were  forbidden  to 
join  the  society  by  their  parents ;  some  left  the  neighbor- 
hood ;  some  proved  to  be  impostors ;  while  many,  surrounded 
by  the  most  wicked  and  abandoned  of  our  race,  and  com- 
pelled to  hold  intercourse  with  them,  amidst  circumstances 
and  influences  of  the  most  debasing  and  demoralizing  char- 
acter, were  soon  jeered  or  provoked  out  of  their  religion, 
and  '  endured  but  for  a  time.'  " 

In  again  referring  to  the  table,  I  find  that  one  hundred 
and  forty-nine  were  found  to  belong  to  churches  in  town,  and 
at  a  distance.  There  were,  besides,  five  or  six  score  who 
were  not  appointed  to  classes,  —  who  did  not,  when  they 
gave  their  names  to  the  secretary,  decide  to  meet  in  class, 
or  what  church  they  would  join.  I  cannot  but  admire  the 
business-like  manner  in  which  the  secretaries  of  the  revival,* 
on  both  Circuits,  performed  their  duties ;  nor  the  industry, 
patience,  and  care  they  have  evidently  taken  in  preparing 
materials  for  this  remarkable,  important,  and  well-authenti- 
cated table.  For,  I  have  no  doubt,  the  author  of  the  pam- 
phlet received  valuable  aid  from  them  in  presenting  the 
English  public  with  such  an  interesting  series  of  statistics. 

*  West  Circuit,  Mr.  John  Un-win  and  Mr.  John  Jepson.  East  Circuit, 
Messrs.  Abraham  Sharman,  John  Jones,  Jun.,  and  Henry  Alcard,  Jun. 


416  CONCLUDING   INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD. 

Of  those  converted  from  the  world,  "  about  one  hundred 
and  thirtj-eight  were  generally  under  the  age  of  sixteen." 
These  were  appointed  to  meet  in  classes  for  catechumens ; 
and  in  due  time,  if  faithful  to  the  grace  of  God,  will  be 
received  into  the  church  as  members.  The  actual  increase 
which  has  been  realized  from  this  great  revival,  by  the 
Wesleyan  church  in  Sheffield,  is  best  ascertained  from  the 
book  of  "  Minutes  of  Conference."  That  for  1845  now 
lies  before  me,  showing  an  increase  on  the  previous  year,  up 
to  the  March  quarter,  in  the  Sheffield  two  Circuits,  of 
between  eight  and  nine  hundred  members !  To  God  be  all 
the  glory !  Amen  and  amen !  The  Sheffield  District  shows 
an  increase  on  the  past  year  of  one  thousand  four  hundred 
and  twenty-five  members,  and  one  thousand  one  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  on  trial.  So  that  there  is  a  good  prospect 
that  the  increase  in  the  District,  this  present  year,  will  be 
large ;  so,  should  any  reaction  occur  in  Sheffield  itself,  the 
District  will  come  up  to  the  help  of  tEe  good  old  town,  and 
rescue  the  honor  of  the  revival.* 

Many  who  were  converted  during  the  above  revival,  are 
scattered  over  Methodism  in  the  District^  and  in  other 
churches,  and  indeed  into  various  parts  of  the  kingdom. 
I  meet  with  some  of  them  in  my  journeyings,  who  know  me, 
although  I  am  unable,  frequently,  to  recognize  them.  How 
many  times  do  they  hail  me  with  joy,  and  with  heaven 
beaming  upon  their  faces,  and  tell  me  what  great  things  God 

*  Well,  time,  that  brings  about  many  important  events,  and  tests  many 
"  works  and  ways,"  presents  us  with  the  "  Minutes"  for  1846.  The  increase 
this  year  in  Sheffield  is  but  small  —  only  fifty.  But  it  is  a  matter  of  comfort 
to  me  that  two  years  will  soon  have  expired,  and  yet,  according  to  the  best 
authenticated  documents  in  Methodism,  the  "  woful  reaction,"  so  confidently 
prophesied  of  by  some,  has  not  yet  occurred !  May  it  never !  The  District, 
as  I  expected,  announces  an  increase  of  upwards  of  eight  hundred  members. 
Hallelujah!   the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth !  J.  C. 

December,  1846. 


CONCLUDING  INCIDENTS   IN   SHEFFIELD.  417 

wrought  for  their  souls,  under  my  humble  ministry  in  Shef- 
field !  My  soul  rejoices  in  the  Lord,  and  triumphs  in  the 
Rock  of  my  salvation.  I  feel  sweetly  happy.  The  revival 
in  ShefiSeld  surpassed  any  thing  I  had  ever  before  witnessed : 
only  think  of  such  multitudes  of  immortal  souls,  saved  in 
the  short  space  of  four  months !  I  have  sometimes  feared  I 
shall  never  again  see  such  another  work.  Blessed  be  God, 
a  revival  has  commenced  in  Birmingham,  also ;  it  is  going 
on  in  great  power,  and  there  is  a  prospect  of  havuig 
thousands  saved.     Hallelujah ! 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

CLOSE  OF  MR.  CAUGHEY'S  LABORS  IN  ENGLAND. 

With  the  preceding  chapter  we  exhausted  Mr.  Caughey's 
published  "  Letters  "  of  their  revival  notices.  He  intends  at 
some  future  time  to  issue  another  volume,  containing  notes 
of  his  continental  tour,  and  of  his  subsequent  movements  in 
England.  But  as  that  is  not  yet  out,  we  must  be  content  to 
give  the  reader  a  hasty  sketch  of  his  further  movements,  up 
to  the  time  of  his  return  to  America,  from  a  pamphlet  pub- 
lished in  London,  in  1847,  and  written  by  a  Wesleyan  Meth- 
odist. We  begin  with  this  writer's  narrative  where  the  last 
chapter  concluded,  viz. :  at  the  close  of  the  Sheffield  revival. 

Mr.  Caughey  concluded  his  labors  in  Sheffield  on  the  8th 
of  September,  (1844,)  and  in  a  few  days  started  on  a  tour 
upon  the  Continent,  an  account  of  which  will  form  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  the  volumes  he  is  understood  to  be  prepar- 
ing for  the  press.  He  visited  many  of  the  celebrated  cities 
and  scenes  of  France  and  Italy,  gathered  information  and 
illustrations  for  his  work  of  "  soul  saving  "  as  he  proceeded, 
and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  recruited  his  health.  It  is  said 
that  when  at  the  top  of  St.  Peter's,  at  Rome,  he  lingered 
behind  the  company  with  which  he  ascended,  and,  in  the  pri- 
vacy thus  obtained,  for  a  short  season,  poured  out  his  soul  in 
fervent  prayer  for  the  destruction  of  popery  and  the  conver- 
418  ^ 


CLOSE  OF  MR.  CAUGHEY'S  LABORS  IN  ENGLAND.  419 

sion  of  its  benighted  votaries  and  victims.  He  returned  to 
England  on  the  15th  of  November,  and  after  spending  a  few 
days  in  London,  —  where  he  preached  once  in  the  Spitalfields 
Wesleyan  chapel,  when  about  twenty  souls  were  saved, — 
proceeded  to  Sheffield,  enjoyed  some  opportunities  of  happy 
intercourse  with  his  old  friends  there,  and  then  went  to  Hud- 
dersfield,  to  fulfil  the  engagement  he  made  at  the  time  the 
friends  of  that  town  relinquished  their  claim  in  favor  of 
Sheffield. 

The  Huddersfield  special  services  commenced  on  Sunday, 
December  the  1st,  and  were  continued  until  the  beginning  of 
April,  1845.  After  a  tremendous  conflict  with  the  powers 
of  darkness,  the  work  of  salvation  proceeded  with  signal  suc- 
cess, and  mightily  prevailed  against  all  opposing  influences. 
In  one  of  the  services,  a  young  man,  deaf  and  dumb,  came 
under  the  divine  influence.  God  first  converted  a  companion 
of  his,  who  could  converse  with  him  by  signs,  and  who  then 
preached  Jesus  to  the  "  dummy  "  with  his  fingers.  The  in- 
cident was  deeply  affecting  and  interesting,  and  in  the  end 
the  youth  was  saved  gloriously. 

At  the  close  of  the  Huddersfield  "campaign,"  Mr.  Caughey's 
health  was  seriously  affected  ;  and  he  was  glad  to  seek  pri- 
vacy for  a  short  season,  with  a  select  company  of  Christian 
friends,  at  Thorp  Arch,  and  also  at  the  hospitable  mansion  of 
B.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Mirfield,  near  Dewsbury.  During  the 
succeeding  two  months,  he  made  excursions  to  Wakefield, 
Huddersfield,  Liverpool,  Sheffield,  and  Hull,  at  each  of  which 
places  many  souls  were  saved ;  and  on  the  14th  of  June, 
arrived  in  York,  to  commence  special  services  there  on  the 
morning  of  Sunday,  the  15th. 

York  having  been  favored  with  a  very  extensive  revival  of 
religion  three  or  four  years  previously,  ^Ir.  Caughey,  on  en- 
tering upon  his  labors  in  this  ancient  city,  felt  a  fear  lest  he 


420     CLOSE   OF  MR.    CAUGHEY'S  LABORS   IN   ENGLAND. 

might  be  stepping  out  of  his  right  path,  and  lest  his  successes 
should  be  inferior  to  those  he  had  experienced  in  some  other 
places.  Either  this  apprehension,  or  some  other  undefined 
cause,  operated  for  a  time  with  a  depressing  influence  on  his 
spirit.  By  the  middle  of  July,  the  number  saved  was  about 
six  hundred  ;  but,  up  to  that  time,  he  could  seldom  occupy 
more  than  half  an  hour  with  his  sermon.  "  Some  think,"  he 
says  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  "  I  can  preach,  and  others  think 
the  contrary  ;  and  I  leave  them  to  settle  it  among  them,  and 
so  the  work  goes  on."  It  is  certain,  however,  that  he  soon 
rose  above  his  fears.  He  had  reason  to  feel  that  he  was  in 
his  right  place.  Here  was  a  people  prepared  at  once  to 
enter  into  his  plans.  He  met  with  an  almost  unexampled 
unanimity  of  co-operation  on  the  part  of  all  the  preachers  on 
the  circuit,  together  with  the  oSicers  and  principal  members 
of  the  society.  One  sentiment  seemed  to  pervade  all  classes 
as  to  the  greatness  of  the  work  which  God  was  working 
among  them. 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  in  the  smaller  places  of  wor- 
ship in  the  city,  and  when  he  had  fully  commenced  his  labors 
in  that  spacious  and  elegant  structure,  the  Centenary  Chapel, 
the  effects  of  his  ministry  began  to  be  strikingly  manifest.  It 
may  also  be  doubted  whether  he  ever  rose  to  loftier  heights 
of  eloquence,  or  uttered  more  impressive  appeals,  than  dur- 
ing some  of  the  services  in  this  chapel.  The  following  re- 
marks occur  in  the  manuscript  journal  of  one  who  observed 
him  narrowly :  "  On  July  21st,  1845,  heard  the  Rev. 
James  Caughey  preach  in  the  Centenary  Chapel  at  York. 
The  text  was,  '  It  pleased  the  Father  that  in  him  should 
all  fulness  dwell.'  Of  all  the  numerous  slanders  that  have 
been  propagated  concerning  this  extraordinary  man,  surely 
one  of  the  most  senseless  is  that  which  lays  to  his  charge  that 
Christ,  in  his  preaching,  is  not  exalted,  and  sometimes  not 


421 


even  named.  I  have  heard  most  of  the  celebrated  ministers 
of  the  present  day,  but  I  cannot,  at  this  moment,  call  to 
mind  any  instance  in  "which  I  have  heard  the.glories  of  the 
Redeemer  so  magnified  as  in  this  morning's  discourse.  There 
were  passages  where  the  preacher  inferred  the  divinity  of 
the  Saviour's  person  from  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  some 
of  his  miracles  were  wrought,  which  gave  me  the  best  idea  I 
have  ever  obtained  of  the  manner  and  eifect  of  Whitefield's 
preaching,  so  far  as  they  are  recorded.  The  whole  congre- 
gation seemed,  in  reahty,  to  be  at  once  'moved,  as  the  trees 
of  the  wood  are  moved  with  the  wind.' " 

In  about  three  months,  two  thousand  persons  professed  to 
have  received  good  under  Mr.  Caughey's  minisiry.  These 
included,  of  course,  many  from  the  surrounding  district,  and 
not  a  few  from  other  bodies  of  Christians.* 

"While  in  York,  the  second  volume  of  his  ''-  Letters  '*  was 
published,  and  had  an  extensive  sale  ;  about  3,000  copies 
being  ordered  before  it  was  issued. 

From  York  Mr.  Caughey  retired  to  Scarborough,  to  obtain 
a  little  rest ;  but  the  good  people  there  prevailed  upon  him 
to  preach  several  times,  with  the  hearty  sanction  of  the  Rev. 
John  Walsh,  the  Superintendent,  and  nearly  two  hundred 
were  saved.  After  a  week's  stay,  he  left  Scarborough  on 
the  8th  of  October,  and  visited  in  succession  Huddersfield, 
Sheffield,  Chesterfield,  (a  fortnight,  seven  hundred  and  thirty 
saved,)  Doncaster,  (a  week,  five  hundred  and  twenty-six 
saved,)  York,  (to  take  leave,)  Huddersfield,  Howley,  Sheep- 

*  Justified  from  the  -world,  942  ;  in  society,  372  ;  total  justified,  1314.  Sanc- 
tified, 727.  Total  2041.  Of  those  justified  from  the  world,  245  were  back- 
sliders, many  of  them  of  eight,  ten,  twelve,  and  some  even  twenty  years 
standing.  These  were  questioned  as  to  the  cause  of  their  fall.  Of  the  males 
three  fourths  referred  their  downfall  to  intoxicating  drink  ;  the  females,  in  a 
majority  of  instances,  referred  theirs  to  "  raarrj'ing  an  ungodly  partner,"  or 
"  engaging  as  servant  in  an  irreligious  family." 

36 


422  CLOSE  OP  MR.  CAUGHEY'S  labors  in  ENGLAND. 

bridge,  and  Macclesfield,  (a  week,  four  hundred  saved ;)  and 
arrived  at  the  mansion  of  John  Wright,  Esq.,  Spark  Brook 
House,  Birmingham,  on  the  6th  of  December,  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  Bell,  Chairman  of  the 
District,  and  the  Rev.  George  Turner,  Superintendent  of  the 
Birmingham  West  Circuit. 

Five  months'  special  services  in  Birmingham  (occasionally 
interrupted  by  ill  health.  Missionary  meetings,  and  a  short 
visit  to  Huddersfield  and  Sheffield)  resulted  in  the  salvation 
of  between  two  and  three  thousand  sinners.  It  was  a  mighty 
work,  and  tasked  the  energies  of  Mr.  Caughey  to  the  utmost. 
Still  he  came  out  of  the  battle  invigorated  both  in  body  and 
mind.  The  following  hasty  note,  written  at  the  close  of  the 
*'  campaign,"  will  be  interesting  for  two  reasons,  —  it  gives  a 
rapid,  lightning-like  glance  into  the  intense  heart  of  the 
writer,  and  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  off-hand  sort  of  corre- 
spondence he  carries  on  with  his  bosom  friends  during  the 
progress  of  a  revival. 

"Birmingham,  May  7,  1846. 
"My  dear  Brother , 

"I  preached  my  farewell  last  night.  Tea-meeting  for 
leaders  to-night,  and  to-morrow  night.  About  four  thou- 
sand two  hundred  saved,  in  both  blessings.*  To  God 
be  all  the  praise  and  glory!  My  health  is  better  than 
when  I  came.  This  is  of  God  also.  My  soul  is  happy,  and 
deeply  humble  before  God.  Nottingham  on  Sabbath  the  10th, 
if  all  be  well.  When  shall  I  see  you  ?  I  preached  out  of 
town  and  out  of  doors  last  Sabbath  to  a  multitude  of  colliers 
—  <£80  collections  for  a  chapel,  but  not  quite  fifty  saved.  I 
do  little  in  scattering  shot  here  and  there.    As  ever,  in  Jesus, 

"James  Caughey. 

"  P.  S.  I  write  this  at  Dr.  Melson's,    Farewell.    J.  C." 

*  Pardon  and  Purity, 


CLOSE   OF  MR.    CAUGHEY'S   LABORS   IN   ENGLAND.     423 

The  revival  in  Nottingham  was  more  glorious  than  all. 
Mr.  Caughey  opened  his  commission  there  on  the  10th  of 
May,  1846,  and  in  the  short  space  of  one  month  upwards  of 
fourteen  hundred  were  converted  to  God.  Sunday,  the  31st 
of  May,  and  two  days  following,  Mr.  Caughey  spent  at 
Castle  Donnington,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  persons  were 
converted  to  God.  He  then  returned  to  Nottingham,  and 
completed  his  engagement  on  the  12th  of  June. 

Lincoln  then  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  his  labors  for  a  fort- 
night, during  which  three  hundred  and  sixty-eight  were 
brought  over  from  the  ranks  of  Satan,  and  two  hundred  and 
eightj^-three  professed  to  experience  sanctifying  grace.  From 
thence  he  went  to  Boston,  where  he  wrote,  "  The  devil  has 
met  me  on  the  low  grounds  of  Lincolnshire  as  Napoleon  met 
Wellington  on  the  plains  of  Belgium.  Never  have  I  had 
such  a  flailing  from  the  public  papers."  The  enemy,  how- 
ever, suffered  a  signal  overthrow,  and  about  four  hundred 
were  saved. 

Passing  through  Sheffield,  on  the  23d  of  July,  Mr. 
Caughey  proceeded  to  Borrowash,  near  Derby,  and  to  Not- 
tingham, to  preach  occasional  sermons  ;  and  returning  to  the 
north,  arrived  in  Sunderland  in  time  to  commence  special 
services  on  Sunday,  August  2d,  at  the  invitation  of  the  Rev. 
W.  Horton,  the  Superintendent. 

There  was  a  great  work  in  Sunderland.  At  first  it  moved 
slowly ;  but  gathering  momentum  as  it  proceeded,  it  resulted 
in  the  salvation  of  nine  hundred  and  thirty-eight  persons  in 
somewhat  less  than  five  weeks.  Of  these,  seven  hundred  and 
eleven  were  cases  of  justification,  that  is,  three  hundred  and 
sixty  who  had  previously  been  members  of  society,  and  three 
hundred  and  fifty-one  sinners  and  backsliders.  At  South 
Shields  also,  which  Mr.  Caughey  visited  one  Sabbath  during 
his  stay  in  Sunderland,  about  seventy  were  saved,  many  of 
them  backsliders.     When,  on  the  4th  of  September,  he  was 


424    CLOSE   OF  MR.   CAUGHEY^S  LABORS  IN  ENGLAND.      , 

preparing  to  leave  Sunderland,  the  members  of  society  pre- 
sented a  petition  to  their  Superintendent  urgently  requesting 
him  to  invite  Mr.  Caughey  to  visit  the  circuit  again. 

Erom  Sunderland,  Mr.  Caughey  went  to  Gateshead,  being 
invited  to  that  circuit  by  the  Rev.  S.  Dixon,  the  Superintend- 
ent. Before  the  close  of  the  first  week,  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  were  saved.  On  the  12th  of  September,  he  re- 
tired to  Scarborough,  partly  for  seclusion,  and  partly  to 
recruit  his  health,  which  was  failing. 

After  reposing  a  while  in  Scarborough,  Mr.  Caughey  visited 
Asburn,  Eutoxeter,  Birstall,  Todmorden  Vale,  and  Bourne, 
with  his  usual  success.  These  labors,  with  flying  visits  to 
various  other  places ,  employed  the  winter  and  spring  of  1846 
and  1847.  In  July,  1847,  believing  it  was  the  will  of  Prov- 
idence he  should  return  to  America,  he  made  preparations 
for  an  Atlantic  voyage. 

Before  we  introduce  the  reader  to  the  scenes  of  that  voy- 
age we  call  his  attention  to  the  following  undeniable  evidences 
of  the  genuineness  of  the  impression  which  induced  him  to  go 
to  Europe.     The  voice  of  God  whispered  thus  to  his  heart : 

"  The  will  of  God  is  that  thou  shouldst  visit  Europe.  He 
shall  be  with  thee  there,  and  give  thee  many  seals  to 
thy  ministry.  He  has  provided  thee  with  funds.  Make  thy 
arrangements  accordingly ;  and  next  Conference,  ask  liberty 
from  the  proper  authorities,  and  it  shall  be  granted  thee. 
Visit  Canada  first ;  when  this  is  done,  sail  for  England. 
God  shall  be  with  thee  there  —  thou  shalt  have  no  want  in 
all  thy  journeyings,  and  thou  shalt  be  brought  back  in  safety 
to  America." 

Such  was  the  "  call."  Behold  the  verification  of  its  partic- 
ulars up  to  the  time  of  his  departure  from  England,  in  the  fol- 
lowing statements,  taken  from  the  before-mentioned  pamphlet. 


CLOSE   OF   MR.    CAUGHEY'S   LABORS   IN   ENGLAND.     425 

The  terms  of  Mr.  Caughey's  "  call,"  as  previously  quoted, 
are  directive  and  predictive. 

1st.  Directive.  — "  These  matters  which  trouble  thee 
must  be  let  entirely  alone.  The  will  of  God  is  that  thou 
shouldst  visit  Europe.  He  has  provided  thee  with  funds. 
Make  thy  arrangements  accordingly  ;  and,  next  Conference, 
ask  liberty  from  the  proper  authorities.  Visit  Canada  first ; 
when  this  is  done,  sail  for  England."  These  directions 
scarcely  call  for  remark,  except  on  the  subject  of  funds. 
Mr.  Caughey  informs  us  that  he  had  "  funds  sufficient  for  a 
two  years'  tour ; "  and  that  he  intended  ''  to  spend  at  least 
two  years  in  Europe."  It  is  now  nearly  six  years  since  he 
landed  in  Liverpool,  having  spent  the  previous  ten  months  in 
Canada. 

2d.  Predictive.  —  "  He  shall  give  thee  many  seals  to  thy 
ministry.  Liberty  from  the  proper  authorities  shall  be  grant- 
ed thee.  God  shall  be  with  thee  in  England  —  thou  shalt 
have  no  want  in  all  thy  joumeyings,  and  thou  shalt  be  brought 
back  in  safety  to  America."  It  has  been  seen  that  Mr. 
Caughey  had  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  leave  of  absence  from 
his  Conference.     The  remaining  points  must  now  be  noticed. 

"  He  shall  give  thee  many  seals  to  thy  ministry.''^ —  Mr. 
Caughey's  ministry  in  Canada  was  eminently  successful; 
but  as  I  have  no  authorized  report,  besides  his  own  statement 
of  the  results,  I  will  lay  no  stress  upon  them.  What  they 
have  been  in  England  we  know,  and  have  the  highest  con- 
nexional  authority  to  assist  us  in  proving.  According  to 
the  Minutes  of  Conference,  the  increase  to  the  principal  so- 
cieties which  have  been  favored  with  Mr.  Caughey's  labors 
was,  in  Liverpool,  404 ;  in  Leeds,  529  ;  in  Hull,  935 ;  in 
Sheffield,  864  ;  in  Huddersfield,  749  ;  in  York,  210  ;  and  in 
Chesterfield,  230.  The  Birmingham  Society  had  an  increase 
of  663  at  the  Michaelmas  Quarter-day,  1846,  as  compared 
36* 


426  CLOSE  OF  MR.  CAUGHEY'S  LABORS  IN  ENGLAND. 

with  the  Minutes  of  1845  ;  and  in  every  other  town  he  has 
visited  there  has  been  a  corresponding  increase.  But  this 
statement  only  shows  the  local  effect  of  Mr.  Caughey's  labors. 
Numbers  of  persons  have  travelled  ten,  twenty,  thirty,  and 
even  fifty  miles,  to  obtain  the  benefits  of  the  revivals  which 
his  ministry  originated,  and  returned  home  rejoicing  in  the 
salvation  of  the  gospel.  In  fact,  the  return  to  Conference 
does  not  represent  one  half  the  actual  good  effected  in  the 
conversion  of  sinners,  as  the  following  statement,  drawn  up 
from  authentic  sources,  will  show :  — 

Justified.  Sanctified.                       Total. 

*  Dublin 700 100 800 

*  Limerick • 130 30 160 

*  Cork 300 50 350 

*  Bandon 70 20 90 

*  Liverpool 1300 400 1700 

*  Leeds 1600 1000 2600 

*  Hull 2300 900 3200 

Sheffield 3352 1448 4800 

Huddersfield 1879 755 2634 

York 1314 727 2041 

*  Birmingham 2800 1400 4200 

Nottingham 1412 553 1965 

Lincoln 368 283 651 

*  Boston 260 140  .....   .  400 

Sunderland 711 227 938 

*  Gateshead 80 46 126 

*  Scarborough 134 66 200 

Chesterfield 599 137 736 

Doncaster 356 170 526 

*  Macclesfield 260 140 400 

*  Wakefield 200 130 330 

*  Various  visits,  London,  Leeds,  Hull, 
Sheffield,  Huddersfield,  Manchester, 
Belper,  and  places  in  Derbyshire, 
Nottinghamshire,  Yorkshire,  Lanca- 
shire, &c.,  at  a  moderate  computa- 
tion   1500 500 2000 


21,625  9,222  30,847 

*  The  numbers  stated  for  these  places  are  approximations  —  rather  under 

than  over  the  truth.    I  have  not  succeeded  in  obtaining  particular  accounts. 


CLOSE   OF  MR.    CAUGHEY'S  LABORS  IN  ENGLAND.     427 

Thus  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  in  England  alone 
Mr.  Caughey's  ministry  has  been  the  means  of  turning  more 
than  twenty  thousand  persons  from  darkness  to  light,  from 
sin  unto  holiness.  I  have  nothing  here  to  do  with  the  allege- 
ment  that  many  of  these  may  have  become  backsliders :  the 
Church  has  had  to  mourn  over  such  ever  since  the  days  of 
the  Apostles.  I  stand  upon  the  great  fact,  that  unusual 
numbers  of  sinners  have  been  converted  to  God  in  conse- 
quence of  Mr.  Caughey's  special  call  to  visit  England  ;  that 
many,  very  many  of  these  remaui  steadfast  and  blameless 
to  the  present  day  ;  and  that  this  is  in  strict  accordance 
■with,  and  a  literal  fulfilment  of,  the  terms,  predictive  and 
otherwise,  of  that  call,  which  was  committed  to  writing  be- 
fore Mr.  Caughey  left  the  United  States,  and  pubHshed  in 
this  country  almost  at  the  commencement  of  the  period  of 
his  greatest  success. 

"  Thou  sJialt  have  no  want  in  all  thy  joumeyings.'^^ —  "  The 
possession  of  a  few  hundreds  of  dollars,"  said  Mr.  Caughey, 
in  August,  1840,  referring  to  a  period  anterior  to  his  call  to 
\isit  Europe,  "•  had  often  made  me  very  uneasy.  I  doubted 
the  propriety  of  laying  up  treasure  on  earth.  The  cause  of 
missions  stood  in  need  of  what  I  possessed,  but  still  I  was 
restrained.  Now  I  clearly  saw  that  God  had  provided  me 
with  these  funds  in  order  to  make  me  willmg  to  obey  the  call, 
and  to  save  me  from  embarrassment  in  my  travels."  Like  a 
man  of  sense  and  prudence,  he  appears  to  have  calculated 
how  long  his  own  funds  would  support  him,  and  determined 
accordingly  the  period  of  his  tour.  He  intended  to  spend 
"  at  least  two  years "  in  Europe ;  yet  Providence  has  so 
ordered  it  that,  though  he  has  been  nearly  six  years  in  these 
kingdoms,  and  since  his  arrival  lost  nearly  all  the  money  he 
brought  with  him  by  the  bankruptcy  of  the  party  with  whom 
it  was  deposited,  he  has  had  "no  want;"  his  revival  oper- 


428     CLOSE   OF   MR.    CAUGHEY'S   LABORS   IN   ENGLAND. 

ations  have  never  been  impeded  for  lack  of  funds ;  and  thus 
the  prediction  has  been  fulfilled  to  the  letter. 

"  Thou  shall  he  brought  back  in  safety  to  America.'*^ — 
This,  it  will  be  seen  by  the  next  chapter,  was  fulfilled  also. 
Who  ever  had  2^  false  impression  so  significantly  sustained  by 
the  providence  of  God  as  was  this  call  of  Mr.  C.  ?  Not  one. 
What  then  is  the  irresistible  conclusion  ?  Why,  clearly,  that 
Mr.  Caughey's  commission  was  of  God. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

THE   VOYAGE   HOME. 

The  following  letter  to  some  of  Mr.  Caughey's  Hudders- 
field  friends,  written  on  his  arrival  in  New  York,  gives  a 
very  unique  account  of  his  homeward  voyage.  It  will  be 
read  with  deep  interest. 

To  Messrs,  Joseph  Webb  and  Thomas  Mallinson.  of 
JSuddersfield, 

New  York,  Nov.  8, 1847. 
My  dear  Brethren, 

On  the  20th  day  of  July,  1847,  after  taking  a  most 
tender  farewell  of  a  large  number  of  precious  friends,  who 
had  accompanied  me  on  board  the  steamer  Hibernia,  that 
noble  vessel  weighed  anchor,  and  "  stood  down  "  the  Mersey. 
With  a  deeply  affected  heart  I  watched  the  motions  of  the 
small  steamer  which  bore  my  friends  to  the  shore  —  friends 
dear  to  my  soul  —  who,  to  the  last  hour  of  my  footsteps  on 
British  soil,  to  the  last  moment  of  our  parting,  lavished  upon 
me  the  tokens  of  their  boundless  affection. 

*'  There  are  moments  in  life  that  are  never  forgot, 
Which  brighten,  and  brighten,  as  time  steals  away;  — 
0  !   these  hallowed  remembrances  cannot  decay  ; 
But  they  come  on  the  soul  with  a  magical  thrill ; 
And  in  days  that  are  darkest  they  kindly  will  stay, 
And  the  heart  in  its  last  throb  will  beat  with  them  still." 

429 


430  THE   VOYAGE   HOME. 

But,  alas  !  that  was  a  sad,  sad  day ;  and  had  it  not  been 
for  the  hope  of  meeting  these  beloved  ones  again,  upon 
earth,  I  should  have  been  heart-broken.  My  straining 
eyes  followed  the  little  steamer,  till  it  was  lost  to  recognition 
among  other  boats ;  and  w^hen  I  no  longer  knew  the  one 
around  which  m}'-  affections  should  entwine,  wandering  vision 
found  repose  upon  Liverpool,  where  I  knew  that  not  a  few 
of  my  spiritual  children  resided,  and  in  whose  streets  many 
of  my  friends  had  arrived,  with  whom  I  had  parted  an  hour 
or  two  before.  Liverpool  at  length  disappeared,  and  lastly, 
the  happy  shores  of  England  itself — "that  httle  world, 
that  precious  stone,  set  like  an  unfading  emerald  in  the 
silver  sea,"  as  one  of  her  own  poets  has  expressed  it ;  and 
I  was  left  alone  to  my  own  reflections.  My  mind  was 
greatly  confused  and  agitated ;  seemed  as  if  awaking  from 
a  troubled  dream.  "  I  have  finished  the  work,  0  Lord,  thou 
hast  given  me  to  do.  If  thou.  Lord,  shouldst  say,  '  Nay,' 
the  responsibility  must  rest  somewhere  else  than  upon  thy 
poor  servant.  Longer  I  could  not  have  stayed  in  England, 
without  rendering  myself  like  thee,  my  Master,  —  'a  stone 
of  stambling,  and  rock  of  offence;' — not  to  the  wicked 
world,  but  to  some  good  men,  whose  prejudices,  and  attach- 
ment to  church  order,  would  not  allow  them  to  appreciate 
my  works  and  motives.  By  remaining  longer  on  those 
shores,  now  lost,  perhaps  forever,  to  my  eyes,  more  evil  than 
good,  all  things  considered,  would  most  likely  have  resulted. 
Farewell,  England !  '  sunshine  gilds  no  coast  where  God 
is  served  more  purely  than  in  thee ! '  Farewell,  Ireland ! 
where  I  Jiave  seen  many  hundreds  of  sinners  converted ; 
—  afflicted,  distracted  Ireland;  Hhe  place  where  first  we 
breathed,  who  can  forget  ? '  Farewell,  Zion !  Farewell, 
friends  of  my  heart !  — '  hearts  in  union  mutually  disclosed.' 

'  Hearts  that  the  world  in  vain  has  tried, 
And  sorrow  but  more  closely  tied ; '  — 


THE   VOYAGE   HOME.  431 

To  you,  a  tearful  agonizing  farewell !  And  farewell,  poor 
perishing  sinners,  whom  I  would  fain  have  brought  into  the 
path  to  heaven,  by  thousands,  and  hundreds  of  thousands. 
Farewell,  ye  men  of  God !  ye  ministers  of  his,  ye  local 
preachers  and  leaders,  officers  of  Emmanuel's  hosts,  who 
helped  me  often  to  push  the  battle  to  the  gates,  and  to  shout 
the  victory  close  by  the  trembling  gates  of  hell.  Farewell ! 
farewell !  my  children  in  the  Lord  ;  the  seal  of  my  apostle- 
ship  are  ye  in  the  Lord ;  whom  I  found  in  the  hand  of  the 
enemy,  led  captive  by  him  at  his  will,  and  whom  I  left 
in  thy  care,  0  blessed  Jesus !  chief  Shepherd,  and  Bishop 
of  souls.  Keep  them,  0  Saviour,  from  the  evils  which  are 
in  the  world !  may  none  of  them  backslide  from  thee,  or 
dishonor  thy  cause.  Amen!"  More  I  cannot  describe 
upon  paper.  The  lights  on  the  Isle  of  Man  appeared  about 
twilight,  and  shortly  after  the  quarter  moon  went  down 
behind  a  bank  of  cloud.  The  evening  was  pleasant,  with  a 
placid  sea,  which  suited  the  state  of  my  weak  body  and 
mind. 

"  Soft  hour !   which  makes  the  wish,  and  melts  the  heart 
Of  those  who  sail  the  seas,  on  the  first  day 
When  they  from  their  sweet  friends  are  torn  apart." 

I  walked  the  deck  till  a  late  hour,  lost  in  thought ;  — 
"  thoughts  of  the  heart,  how  soft  ye  flow !  mournful  and 
sweet,  as  music's  dying  fall;"  —  fraught  with  many  a 
treasured  hope,  and  tender  memory,  darting  to  regions 
afar ;  now  with  lately-parted  friends,  and  the  next  moment 
with  expectant  friends  in  North  America.  Both  hemi- 
spheres were  visited,  quicker  than  the  scintillations  of  the 
Aurora  Borealis.  My  whole  being  had,  as  it  were,  resolved 
itself  into  memory,  —  "  an  ocean  of  memories."  Some  one 
has  termed  the  memory,  the  image  chamber  of  the  soul. 
Mine  was  that,  truly ;  and  many  images  were  there,  and 


432  THE   VOYAGE   HOME. 

mingled  pictures,  "like  broken  scenery  mirrored  on  the 
surface  of  a  troubled  stream."  Some  were  delightfully 
pleasing,  because  associated  with  the  expectation  of  soon 
mingling  my  tears  of  joy  with  those  of  long-tried  friends  in 
America ;  while  others  were  oppressively  sad,  on  account 
of  friends  I  might  possibly  meet  no  more  upon  earth ;  and 
these  crossed  each  other  and  intermingled,  "as  rich  sun- 
beams and  dark  bursts  of  rain  meet  in  the  sky."  But 
enough  of  this. 

^  "  The  clangers  I  had  'scaped,  the  broken  snare, 

The  disappointed  foe,  deliverance  found 
TJnlooked  for,  life  preserved,  aijd  peace  restored, 
Fruits  of  omnipotent  eternal  love," 

called  for  loudest  songs  of  praise.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my 
soul ! " 

The  following  morning  we  were  running  along  the  northern 
coast  of  Ireland,  "  its  weather-beaten  and  bleached  rocks 
from  the  green  waves  emerging."  At  the  close  of  day  land 
had  almost  disappeared. 

"  Away !  away  we  steer, 

Upon  the  ocean's  breast, 
And  dim  the  distant  heights  appear 

Like  clouds  along  the  west : 
While  our  ship,  —  lonely  as  the  bird. 

Whose  home  is  on  the  wing,"  — 

hurried  onward,  fearlessly,  into  the  bosom  of  night.  Morn- 
ing came,  and  nothing  but  sky  and  water  appeared  around ; 
our  ship,  "poised  in  the  centre  of  a  sphere,"  wrestling 
hard  with  a  rolling  treacherous  sea,  "  a  working  sea  remain- 
ing from  a  storm,"  and  nearly  all  the  passengers  sick,  among 
whom  I  also  was  "  a  complainant."  And  old  voyagers  there 
were  who  grumbled  heavily  at  the  loss  of  both  breakfast  and 
dinner,  a  thing  they  did  not  appear  to  have  been  accustomed 
to;  relish  such  usage  they  neither  could  nor  would,  and  so 


THE   VOYAGE  HOME.  433 

revenged  their  affronts  by  dashing  most  vociferously,  and 
without  a  word  of  apology,  the  whole  of  "  stomach  contents  " 
directly  in  the  face  of  the  sea,  "  fearless  of  old  ocean's  face 
or  thundering  frown.''  During  three  or  four  days  there 
were  some  sturdy  contests  of  this  kind,  between  the  haughty 
sea  and  stubborn  passengers,  and  many  an  interchange  of 
mutual  affronts.  A  few  retired  from  the  scene  of  conflict, 
concealing  their  defeat  between  decks  ;  others,  with  myself, 
scorned  to  retreat  till  it  could  be  done  "  with  good  grace," 
under  cover  of  night.  The  day  passed  tediously  away; 
night  came,  and  so  did  morning,  bleak  and  dreary  enough ; 
but  an  array  of  pale  faces  on  deck,  proclaimed  if  we  were 
weak,  we  were  still  unconquered. 

The  sea  at  length  became  less  rude  and  more  civil.  The 
aspect  of  old  ocean  was  still  sufficiently  rugged  and  dreary, 
but  there  was  a  sensible  improvement  in  its  spirit  and  tone. 
**  The  billows  roll  with  pleasurable  swell,"  says  some  votary 
of  the  muses.  I  wonder  if  he  was  ever  sea-sick.  The 
uneasy  swell  continued,  but  the  pulsations  of  ocean's  breast 
beat  less  heavily,  and  so  did  those  of  our  "  inner  man." 
Appetite  gradually  returned ;  there  was  a  better  muster  at 
the  saloon  table ;  but  a  few  stragglers,  among  whom  was 
your  friend,  were  content  with  a  place  on  deck,  "  under 
open  sky,"  plate  on  knee,  suspicious  of  treachery^  fearing 
a  surprise.  Confidence,  however,  gradually  returned ;  and 
on  the  evening  of  the  fifth  day,  there  were  some  appear- 
ances of  sociability,  for  a  most  unsocial  thing  is  this  sea- 
sickness.    The  sentiment  of  one  could  now  be  reciprocated : 

"  The  last  line  of  light  is  now  crossing  the  sea, 
And  the  first  star  is  lighting  its  lamp  in  the  sky." 

On  Sabbath,  25th  July,  the  captain  requested  me  to 
conduct  divine  service.     Being  somewhat  out  of  order,  I 
8T 


434  THE   VOYAGE  HOME. 

requested  him,  in  return,  to  read  prayers,  and  I  would 
preach ;  which  he  did  in  a  most  devout  manner,  and  with 
good  effect.  After  service  I  was  addressed  by  a  gentleman, 
thus :  "  Sir,  some  did  not  like  your  sermon  :  but  I  did.  It 
"was  short,  but  sweet."  Shortly  after,  a  British  officer,  on  his 
way  to  join  his  regiment  in  Quebec,  stepped  up,  and  said, 
"  Sir,  I  have  heard  that  to-day  which  I  have  been  desiring 
in  vain  to  hear  during  the  last  thirty  years — a  short  sermon^ 
Sir."  The  major  appeared  highly  pleased,  not  with  the 
doctrine,  nor  style  of  the  sermon,  but  with  its  brevity ;  which 
to  those  versed  like  himself  in  the  woes  of  long  sermons,  he 
considered  an  absolute  luxury.  Perhaps  I  had  preached 
longer  than  the  major  was  aware ;  but  no  matter,  he  was 
really  happy  to  find  one  man,  after  a  search  of  thirty  years, 
"who  had  better  sense  than  to  weary  his  hearers.  He  then 
entered  into  a  lengthy  detail  of  his  sufferings  from  "  the 
intolerable  infliction  of  long  sermons."  Poor  man!  his 
suffering  had  weighed  so  heavily  upon  his  nervous  sensibili- 
ties, that  the  bare  remembrance  of  them  was  sufficient  to 
rouse  all  his  energies  into  repugnance.  He  became  really 
eloquent,  "  and  every  feeling  uttered,  fully  felt ; "  but, 
unfortunately,  his  excitement  carried  him,  perhaps,  much 
further  than  he  had  intended  —  "that  preaching  might  as 
well  be  dispensed  with  altogether."  To  this  I  demurred, 
which  set  him  on  the  defensive.  Finding  it  rather  difficult  to 
maintain  his  position,  he  withdrew  his  artillery,  and  retreated, 
supposing,  probably,  that  I  was  as  guilty  as  any  of  my  cloth 
in  "long  sermon  outrage;"  and  he  was  not  far  mistaken. 

As  day  succeeded  day,  our  prospects  brightened.  Few 
there  were  who  were  not  cheered  by  the  anticipation  of 
meeting  friends  on  the  approaching  shores,  and  all  seemed 
to  be  more  reconciled  to  "life  at  sea."  Our  fine  steamer 
flew  along  the  waters,  ruling  the  elements  and  free  waves, 


THE   VOYAGE  HOME.  435 

"  impelled  as  though  she  felt  a  soul  -within  her  heart  of  oak ; " 
reminding  one  of  those  quaint  lines  of  Kaleigh : 

"  Ye  might  have  seen  the  frothy  billows  fiy 
Under  the  ship,  as  through  them  she  went, 
That  seemed  the  waves  were  into  ivory, 
Or  ivory  into  waves  were  sent." 

On  Saturday,  the  eleventh  day  from  Liverpool,  Tve  hailed 
the  shores  of  North  America,  frowning  through  the  folds  of 
a  dense  fog ;  and,  on  the  same  day,  we  entered  the  harbor 
of  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  thankful  to  our  heavenly  Father 
for  his  abounding  mercies.  A  brother  recognized  me  as 
soon  as  I  stepped  ashore,  who  remembered  with  joy  my  visit 
in  1841.  We  enjoyed  a  pleasant  walk  through  the  city, 
returned  to  dinner  on  board,  and  after  posting  a  few  letters 
for  friends  in  England,  our  steamer  was  again  in  motion. 
The  fog  became  thicker  than  ever,  so  as  to  render  our 
egress  from  the  harbor  hazardous ;  but  we  regained  the  sea 
in  safety,  and  steered  for  Boston,  U.  S. 

Next  day,  (Sabbath,)  the  captain  desired  me  to  officiate ; 
but  I  informed  him  there  was  a  Baptist  minister  on  board, 
and  that  Christian  courtesy  required  he  should  be  requested 
to  preach ;  and,  that  I  doubted  not  most  of  the  passengers 
would  be  highly  pleased  to  hear  him.  The  captain  kindly 
consented,  and  we  had  a  profitable  season.  A  few  were 
displeased  with  the  preacher.  The  introduction  of  the  hor- 
rors of  hell,  and  the  rich  man  calling  for  a  drop  of  water  to 
cool  his  tongue,  could  not  be  pardoned  in  so  polite  an  assem- 
bly. I  defended  the  good  brother  with  all  kindness  and 
plainness.  The  major  again  made  his  appearance,  and  I 
could  not  well  keep  my  eye  off  him,  remembering  his  mortal 
distaste  for  long  sermons ;  and  felt  for  both  him  and  the 
preacher,  the  latter  not  being  aware  of  his  prejudices.  A 
few  minutes,  however,  decided  the  matter.    The  major  began 


436  THE  VOYAGE  HOME. 

to  grope  about  for  his  hat ;  and  I  was  glad  to  turn  my  eye 
in  another  direction,  as  he  boldly  marched  doorward,  and 
made  his  exit ;  thinking,  doubtless,  that  when  in  the  church 
at  Quebec,  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  he  could  not  with  so 
"  good  grace  "  reprove  the  prolixity  of  the  preacher.  I  had 
some  liberty  in  the  concluding  prayer. 

On  the  same  night  blue  lights  were  projected  from  deck 
in  hopes  of  "  signalizing"  the  outward  bound  mail  steamer; 
but  the  compliment  not  being  returned  by  the  vessel  whose 
watch-lights  had  attracted  our  attention,  we  concluded  we 
had  mistaken  the  ship.  The  night  was  dark  and  dreary ; 
but  all  were  cheered  by  the  hope  of  a  safe  arrival  at  the 
port  of  destination  on  the  morrow ;  a  hope  which  a  kind 
Providence  did  not  disappoint. 

Morning  came,  and  with  it  a  very  bad  fog.  Supposing 
land  to  be  near,  a  sharp  look-out  was  maintained  on  all  sides. 
Guns  were  fired  at  intervals  for  a  harbor  pilot,  but  in  vain. 
We  continued  to  near  the  shore,  which  was  as  yet  but  an 
object  of  faith ;  it  might  be  within  gunshot,  or  at  a  consid- 
erable distance.  The  "  random  gun,"  the  heavy  plunge  of 
the  lead,  and  report  of  soundings,  had  a  solemn  effect. 
Suddenly  we  had  a  glimpse  of  nigged  rocks,  like  spectres 
starting  out  of  the  fog,  and  disappearing  again.  We  stood 
in  admiration  of  the  confidence,  prudence,  and  judgment  of 
captain,  officers,  and  men.  Our  coast  pilot,  embarrassed 
more  and  more  by  the  encompassing  fog,  ascended  the  main- 
mast, in  hopes  of  overlooking  it.  He  succeeded,  and  from 
his  giddy  position  gave  his  commands  to  the  helmsman,  who 
obeyed  his  injunctions,  in  faith,  dashing  the  vessel  headlong 
into  an  "  obscurity  that  might  be  felt,"  regardless  of  rocks 
which  fro^vned  sudden  terror,  and  which  as  suddenly  disap- 
peared.  The  fog  dispersed ;  all  was  well ;  we  found  our- 
selves in  the  "  narrows"  leading  to  Boston  harbor ;  and  saw 


TnE  VOYAGE  HOME.  437 

Boston  itself,  reposing  like  a  brilliant  gem,  enchased  within 
a  soft  and  pretty  arrangement  of  scenery  ;  the  whole  lighted 
up  with  that  freshness  and  beauty  so  peculiar  to  an  American 
summer  morning. 

It  was  noon  before  we  got  our  baggage  ashore.  The  day 
became  extremely  hot,  which,  to  us  who  had  been  exposed 
to  the  sea  breezes  and  to  weather  singularly  chilly  and  raw, 
was  very  oppressive.  The  hotel  to  which  we  were  conducted, 
being  pleasantly  situated,  we  concluded  to  remain  a  day  or 
two  to  recruit.  "  I  had  hardly  got  rid  of  the  rocking  sensa- 
tion of  the  ship,"  remarked  one  similarly  circumstanced  to 
ourselves,  "  and  this  being  but  my  second  night  ashore,  I 
slept  as  a  landsman  does  when  he  once  more  gains  firm 
earth.  On  the  former  day,  when  walking,  my  very  toes 
grasped  the  ground,  as  if  each  was  a  feeler.  I  clung  to  it 
with  my  feet,  and  planted  them  on  land  like  the  sea-horse 
climbing  an  iceberg."  My  nights,  for  some  time  after  land- 
ing, were  of  a  restless  character ;  on  waking  up,  I  hardly 
ever  realized  myself  on  shore.  But  my  soul  was  continually 
happy  and  thankful.  Gratitude  to  my  good  and  gracious 
God  ever  animated  my  heart.  He  had  vouchsafed  to  his 
unworthy  servant,  in  answer  to  the  fervent  prayers  of  many 
thousands,  a  safe  and  pleasant  voyage,  and  speedy,  occupy- 
ing only  about  twelve  days  and  a  half  from  Liverpool.  We 
learned,  indeed,  from  the  pubhc  papers,  that  a  few  degrees 
from  our  position  on  the  Atlantic,  a  vessel  had  encountered 
a  tremendous  gale,  on  the  night  of  the  30th  July,  which 
carried  away  her  mainmast,  together  with  fore  and  mizzen 
topmast  and  sails,  but  it  had  no  commission  against  us. 
Shortly  after  we  landed,  another  terrific  gale  swept  the 
American  coast,  which  resulted  m  many  disasters,  with  loss 
of  fife.  But  he  who  holds  the  wmds  in  his  fist  and  the 
waters  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand,  held  the  elements  in 
37* 


438  THE   VOYAGE  HOME. 

restraint,  till  we  were  out  of  the  reach  of  their  fury.  "  Doth 
Job  fear  God  for  nought  ?  hast  thou  not  made  a  hedge  about 
him,  and  about  all  that  he  hath  on  every  side  ? "  was 
Satan's  complaint  concerning  Job.  God  can  plant  his  hedge 
as  a  defence  around  his  servants  at  sea,  as  firmly  as  on  land, 
and  can  say  thereby  to  the  winds  and  waves,  "  Thus  far 
shalt  thou  go,  and  no  farther."  Ocean  may  fling  his  moun- 
tain waves  against  it,  and  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air 
may  sometimes,  for  aught  we  know,  gather  the  winds  of 
heaven  in  one  collected  blast,  charged  with  the  strength  and 
wrath  of  hell,  involving  sea  and  sky,  but  in  vain !  the  hedge 
is  there,  —  the  blast  of  hell  is  paralyzed,  —  there  is  no 
breakwater  so  effectual  as  the  hedge  of  God's  right  hand 
planting. 

I  left  Boston  for  New  York,  where  I  was  joyfully  received 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Caughey  (cousins)  and  family.  From 
thence  I  proceeded  up  the  Hudson  River  to  Newburgh,  and 
took  my  sister  and  family  by  surprise.  We  had  a  joyful 
meeting.  From  Newburgh  I  set  out  for  Troy  and  Lansing- 
burgh,  the  highest  navigable  point  of  the  Hudson,  and 
preached  at  both  places;  thence  to  Whitehall,  where  I 
formerly  received  orders  for  Europe.  I  landed  there  about 
five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and,  without  making  myself 
known  to  any  one,  I  hastened  up  the  rocky  steeps  to  Provi- 
dence Path.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  my  feelings  when 
my  feet  paced  that  Path  once  more.  My  heart  was  filled 
with  love  and  joy,  my  eyes  with  tears,  and  my  mouth  with 
praises.  The  rocks  rang  with  shouts  of  joy.  This  was  my 
"  triumphal.''''  No  human  eye  saw  me,  no  human  ear  heard 
my  bursting  joy  —  my  acclamations  !  Angels,  I  cannot 
but  think,  were  spectators,  and  shared  in  the  "triumph" 
which  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  had  granted  to  the 
weakest  and  meanest  of  the  servants  of  Heaven.     0 !   it 


THE  VOYAGE  HOME.  439 

"was  a  time  never  to  be  forgotten.  I  had  not  expected  such 
a  great  blessing ;  my  soul  was  taken  by  surprise,  and  was 
caught  up  into  the  chariot  of  love.  No  Roman  hero  ever 
returned  to  Rome  with  such  a  glow  of  happiness  in  his 
bosom ;  none  surely  ever  enjoyed  his  triumphal  entry  into 
the  Roman  capital,  as  I  did  mine,  amidst  the  rocks  of  Prov- 
idence Path.  When  words  were  exhausted,  and  I  stood  in 
adoring  wonder,  not  knowing  what  more  to  say,  that  fine 
hymn  roUed  in  upon  memory,  and  fired  my  soul  afresh.  It 
was  quite  unpremeditated ;  that  is,  it  was  not  thought  of 
in  view  of  the  occasion:  rather  I  would  believe,  it  was 
prompted  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  my  wilHng  soul  seized 
it,  and  made  it  the  vehicle  to  convey  its  loftiest  emotions 
of  gratitude  and  joy  to  the  feet  of  Christ  my  Lord : 

"  This,  this  is  the  God  I  adore, 

My  faithful,  unchangeable  Friend  ; 
Whose  love  is  as  great  as  his  power, 

And  neither  knows  measure  nor  end. 
'Tis  Jesus,  the  First  and  the  Last, 

Whose  mercy  shall  guide  me  safe  home  ; 
I'll  praise  him  for  all  that  is  past. 

And  trust  him  for  all  that 's  to  come." 

And  I  sang  as  if  heaven  and  earth  should  hear.  The 
Lord  had  performed  his  every  promise,  and  fulfilled  all  his 
intimations  of  good  things  to  come,  which  he  had  made  me 
to  understand,  when  he  gave  me  my  European  commission! 
and  he  had  brought  me  back  again  in  peace  and  safety, 
according  to  his  word ;  and,  had  I  held  my  peace,  the  rocks 
around  Providence  Path  might  well  have  cried  out. 

I  then  walked  down  into  a  lonely  glen,  another  place 
sacred  to  memory ;  where,  some  weeks  after  my  call  to 
Europe,  and  when  the  following  words  were  resting  upon  my 
heart  with  a  sweet  influence,  "  I  must  preach  the  gospel 
under  other  skies;"  when  walking,  engaged  in  deep  com- 


440  THE   VOYAGE   HOME. 

munion  "with  God,  I  observed,  on  looking  up,  how  rapidly 
the  clouds  were  careering  along  the  sky.  I  fell  upon  my 
knees  and  sang : 

"  Who  points  the  clouds  their  course, 

Whom  winds  and  seas  obey, 

He  shall  direct  my  wandering  feet. 

He  shall  point  out  my  way." 

And  now  that  I  had  returned,  and  the  Lord  1iad  made  all 
his  goodness  to  pass  before  me,  how  could  I  pass  that  glen 
and  not  turn  in  thither,  kneel  upon  the  same  green  turf,  and 
sing  the  same  verse  I  had  sung  there  eight  years  before  ? 
Then,  indeed,  it  was  the  language  of  confiding  faith  and 
unwavering  trust ;  now,  of  confidence  and  certainty  of  knowl- 
edge ;  but  both  dispositions  were  equally  pleasing  to  God, 
although  the  latter  was  now  the  easier  and  happier  feeling 
of  the  two.  Here  again,  I  was  blessed,  in  substituting  "  he 
has  directed  my  wandering  feet,  he  has  pointed  out  the 
way."  Had  some  musical  critics  indeed  been  present,  they 
would  have  been  alarmed  for  the  fate  of  the  tune;  but  it 
was  for  the  ears  of  God  alone ;  and  was  accepted  on  account 
of  the  sweet  melody  made  in  the  heart  to  the  Lord.  Eph. 
V.  19.  On  the  same  day  I  went  on  board  the  steamer 
Whitehall,  and  sailed  for  Burlington,  Yt.,  a  pretty  town  on 
the  eastern  banks  of  Lake  Champlain,  where  I  received  a 
hearty  welcome  to  my  American  home,  by  my  dear  friends, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Haynes.  All  glory  and  praise  be 
unto  God !  Amen.  Since  my  arrival  in  America,  I  have 
travelled  nearly  two  thousand  miles,  preached  in  several 
places,  and  have  seen  a  few  sinners  converted  to  God. 

Last  week  I  visited  Poughkeepsie,  the  residence  of  Bishop 
Hedding.  He  was  not  at  home,  but  was  expected  daily. 
I  concluded  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  noon  steamer,  deter- 
mining to  remain,  should  the  Bishop  arrive  by  her ;  if  not, 


THE  VOYAGE  HOME.  441 

to  proceed  by  the  same  boat  down  the  river.  Providentially 
the  Bishop  was  on  board.  He  received  me  most  cordially, 
and  I  returned  with  him  to  his  mansion. 

After  some  conversation  with  the  Bishop,  I  desired  to  bo 
alone  with  God ;  excused  myself  for  an  hour,  and  walked 
out.  I  had  not  gone  far  before  God  met  me,  and  filled  my 
heart  with  love.  My  soul  rejoiced  with  exceeding  joy  ;  all 
within  me  shouted  his  praise.  Ah  !  I  thought,  this  will  do. 
God  is  mine,  and  I  am  his  ;  he  is  on  my  side  ;  no  evil  can 
happen.  All  is  well !  I  felt  nothing  in  my  heart  but  pure 
love  to  God  and  man.  Hallelujah !  That  night  I  preached 
in  the  church  contiguous  to  the  Bishop's  residence,  and  a 
number  of  persons  came  forward  to  be  prayed  for ;  but,  as 
I  had  to  leave  before  the  close  of  the  service,  I  did  not 
learn  the  results. 

Yesterday  we  commenced  "  special  services ''  in  one  of 
our  churches  in  this  city.  The  congregation  was  rather 
small,  when  compared  with  those  I  had  seen  in  England ; 
but  there  was  some  feeling ;  and  we  are  praying,  hoping 
and  believing,  for  a  general  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
upon  the  population  of  this  great  city.  The  results  may  form 
the  material  for  another  communication.  My  health,  thank 
God,  is  very  good. 

As  to  my  future  movements  in  this  country,  I  can  say 
nothing  certain.  I  purpose  to  walk  closely  with  God ;  to 
watch  intently  the  providential  cloud,  and  follow  it.  My 
soul  has  been  weak  since  my  arrival,  and  I  have  not  had  my 
usual  liberty  in  preaching,  nor  success; — have  been  much 
buffetted  by  the  enemy,  and  weakened  by  various  causes, 
not  necessary  now  to  mention.  But  I  would  encourage 
myself  in  the  Lord,  that  these  circumstances  are  a  prelude 
to  a  succession  of  victories.  I  have  felt  a  loss  in  my  soul  in 
returning  into  the  hands  of  the  Lord  my  European  commis- 


442  THE   VOYAGE  HOME. 

sion.  While  I  held  that,  all  the  energies  of  soul  and  body 
were  consecrated  to  it,  and  engaged  in  carrying  out  its  pur- 
port. My  American  has  not  been  so  clearly  defined,  nor  so 
satisfactorily  renewed.  I  feel  somewhat  like  an  officer  of  the 
army  on  furlough,  and  longing  once  more  to  lead  the  hosts  of 
God  to  battle,  and  to  victory. 

"  To  act,  to  suffer,  may  be  nobly  great,  — 
But  Nature's  mightiest  effort  is  to  wait." 

Since  his  return,  this  beloved  brother  has  spent  his  summers 
mostly  in  literary  labors  at  his  favorite  residence  in  Burling- 
ton, Vermont.  In  the  winter  months  he  has  labored  chiefly 
at  New  York,  ^Albany,  Providence,  and  Lowell.  We  find 
the  following  notice  in  the  London  Wesleyan  Times,  of  his 
labors  in  Providence : 

Our  Chesnut  street  charge  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island, 
is  enjoying  a  most  blessed  work  of  God,  under  the  labors  of 
the  Rev.  James  Caughey,  a  brother  well  known  on  your  side 
of  the  water.  Perhaps  a  short  account  of  this  work  will  be 
acceptable  to  your  readers.  Mr.  Caughey  commenced  his 
labors  here  the  first  Sabbath  in  December  last,  under 
somewhat  unfavorable  circumstances.  The  society  was  quite 
low  in  spirituality ;  but  few  possessed  the  revival  spirit,  and  but 
few,  comparatively,  were  ready  to  act  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 
There  was,  however,  a  desire  on  the  part  of  some  to  witness 
a  revival,  while  a  few  were  earnestly  praying  for  it.  Mr. 
Caughey  was  most  cordially  received  among  them,  and  a 
good  number  at  once  rallied  around  him.  His  preaching 
soon  took  efiect.  Multitudes  began  to  feel  that  all  was  not 
right.  It  was  a  time  of  great  heart-searching.  Many  who 
had  been  members  of  the  church  for  years  became  alarmed 
for  their  safety.  They  came  to  the  altar  and  sought  a  clear 
witness  of  their  justification,  and  were  soon  rejoicing  in  the 


THE  VOYAGE  HOME.  443 

knowledge  of  the  forgiveness  of  sins.  About  the  second 
week  of  the  meeting,  the  work  commenced  among  sinners. 
From  that  time  to  the  present,  the  work  has  been  going  on 
gloriously  among  them.  There  has  been  scarcely  a  night 
but  what  awakenings  and  conversions  have  been  witnessed. 
In  some  instances  the  large  altar,  at  which  about  thirty-five 
can  kneel,  has  been  literally  crowded  with  those  seeking 
mercy.  Probably  about  two  hundred  have  obtained  a  clear 
sense  of  justification  since  the  meetings  commenced,  and  more 
than  one  half  of  them  from  the  world.  Persons  of  almost  all 
ages  and  classes  have  been  subjects  of  the  revival,  though, 
as  is  usually  the  case,  the  larger  proportion  saved  are  among 
the  middle  aged  and  youth.  Some  of  the  most  hard-hearted 
and  wicked  have  found  mercy.  Some  who  were  infidels,  Uni- 
versaUsts,  sceptics.  Sabbath-breakers,  and  profane,  are  found 
among  the  happy,  rejoicing  converts.  Several  heads  of  fam- 
ilies have  been  saved.  Husbands  and  wives,  parents  and 
children,  have  been  enabled  to  rejoice,  for  the  first  time,  in 
God's  pardoning  love.  Several  members  of  the  Bible  classes 
connected  with  our  Sabbath  School  have  been  made  unspeak- 
ably happy.  Members  of  the  Baptist  and  Congregational 
churches  have  been  blessed  at  our  altar.  A  large  number  of 
backsliders  have  been  reclauned.  The  work  of  entire  sanctifi- 
cation  has  progressed  with  that  of  conversion.  At  our  love- 
feast  on  the  7th  inst.,  at  which  about  one  hundred  spoke  of 
a  present  salvation,  a  large  number  bore  testimony  that  the 
"blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Son,"  had  cleansed  them^  "from 
all  sin."  It  was  a  most  glorious  season!  We  have  received 
nearly  fifty  on  probation  during  the  meetings  ;  several  have 
\mited  with  other  churches,  and  probably  as  many  more  will 
join  soon.  But  the  work  is  still  going  on  in  power.  Last 
evening  our  altar  was  nearly  full  of  persons,  most  of  whom 
were  seeking  mercy.     Mr.  Caughey  has  usually  preached 


444  THE  VOYAGE  HOME. 

every  evening  in  the  week,  except  Monday  and  Saturday 
evenings;  and  for  about  six  weeks  he  has  preached  four 
times  during  the  week  in  the  afternoons.  The  after- 
noon meetings  have  been  signally  blessed  to  believers.  His 
preaching  has  been  "  with  power.''  We  have  wondered  that 
any  one  could  withstand  its  convincing  and  searching  power. 
His  great  business  is  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  and  he  is  greatly 
honored  and  blessed  in  his  work.  How  many  seals  he  will 
have  to  his  ministry !  Though  the  work  is  still  going  on,  he 
thinks  he  must  leave  us  soon,  to  seek  for  souls  in  other  places. 
I  need  not  tell  you  he  has  many  warm  friends  here,  who  seem 
quite  unwilling  to  let  him  go.  They  seem  afraid  they  shall 
"  see  his  face  no  more."  His  labors  are  in  great  demand. 
"  Come  and  help  us ! "  is  reaching  him  from  almost  every 
point. 

Glorious  results  have  followed  his  labors  in  the  other  places 
named  above.  God  is  with  him.  The  people  love  him. 
What  his  future  history  will  be,  God,  the  Omniscient,  can 
alone  discover. 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  letters,  the  first  from  Mr.  Caughey,  and 
the  second  from  the  Rev.  James  Everett,  will  be  read  with 
interest  by  the  friends  of  revivals.  Mr.  E.'s  letter  is  very 
ably  written,  and  furnished  an  effectual  shield  against  the 
poisoned  darts  of  those  enemies  to  revival  movements  who 
attacked  Mr.  C.  in  England.  It  is  introduced  by  Mr. 
Caughey  in  the  following  words: 

The  following  letter  was  written  by  the  Rev.  James 
Everett  to  an  inquiring  friend.  It  was  inclosed  to  me  a 
few  days  since,  with  permission  to  make  what  use  of  it  I 
pleased.  Having  obtained  leave  of  Mr.  Everett  to  pubhsh 
it  among  my  printed  Letters,  I  now  do  so  with  no  small 
degree  of  pleasure.  It  contains,  certainly,  an  ingenious 
apology  for  the  matter  and  manner  of  my  preaching,  wliich, 
it  seems,  have  excited  a  great  deal  of  interest,  if  not  specu- 
lation, in  certain  quarters. 

Since  my  arrival  in  England,  I  have  endeavored  to  preach 
the  gospel  of  God  my  Saviour  in  sincerity  and  in  truth,  and 
according  to  the  ability  God  has  given.  !My  manner  of 
illustrating  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  I  cannot  consider  alto- 
gether singular  or  peculiar  to  myself,  as  there  are  many 
ministers  who  avail  themselves  of  similar  advantages  for  the 
38  445 


446  APPENDIX. 

elucidation  of  truth.  It  is  not  however  improbable  that  I 
may  sometimes  draw  more  largely  upon  nature  and  active 
life  for  similes  than  many  of  my  brethren.  I  often  think 
there  is  a  necessity  for  this,  circumstanced  as  I  am  with  a 
crowd  of  sinners  around  me,  composed  of  various  grades  of 
character,  who  must  be  brought  first  to  understand,  and  then 
to  feel  the  truth ;  and  this,  not  for  a  few  meetings  only,  but 
throughout  a  series  of  services  in  the  same  town,  and 
extending  through  a  succession  of  several  months. 

Bold  as  have  been  my  appeals  to  sinners,  and  mysterious 
and  hazardous  as  have  been  some  of  my  delineations  of 
character,  and  frequently  as  the  bow  has  been  drawn  at  a 
venture,  I  know  my  heart  is  right  with  God ;  and  even 
those  who  have  heard,  with  amaze,  those  appeals  to  certain 
characters,  have  been  afterwards  compelled  to  acknowledge 
that  He  has  confirmed  the  word  by  signs  following. 

James  Caughey. 
Spark  Brook  House,  Birmingham,  Feb.  16,  1846. 

The  following  is  Mr.  Everett's  letter: 

York,  November  18, 1845. 
My  dear  Friend  H  *  *  *, 

The  objections  noticed  by  you,  to  the  Kev.  James 
Caughey,  are  only  such  as  have  taken  the  round  of  the 
social  circle,  and  absolutely  become  stale  by  repetition.  I 
have  heard  them  so  often  in  my  wanderings,  that  they  have 
now  become  like  the  dust  on  the  causeway  along  which  I 
walk,  and  are  passed  over  with  the  buoyant  step  of  a  youth 
of  eighteen.  It  afibrds  me  pleasure  to  find  that  you  are 
breaking  away  from  your  prejudices,  and  that  the  excellent 
persons  to  whom  you  refer  have  also  got  their  minds  disa- 
bused on  the  subject.    Most  of  the  objections  have  originated 


APPENDIX.  447 

either  in  ignorance  or  malice  —  proceeding,  in  the  first 
instance,  from  the  professors  of  religion,  and,  in  the  second, 
from  the  profane ;  designed,  of  course,  in  the  one  case,  and 
undesigned  in  the  other:  and  the  two  uniting  in  their 
progress  through  society,  have  formed,  at  length,  a  kind  of 
common  stock,  out  of  which,  persons  so  disposed,  are  helping 
themselves  —  employing  at  the  same  time  such  latitude  of 
meaning,  and  such  vividness  of  coloring,  as  occasionally  to 
give  a  new  face  and  form  to  detached  portions ;  not  unfre- 
quently  uttering  them  with  such  an  air  of  the  oracular,  as 
to  impress  you  with  the  notion  that  the  oracle  has  spoken 
for  the  first  time,  and  that  the  objection  is  the  result  of 
personal  observation  and  special  investigation.  It  is  amusing, 
in  one  view,  to  find  the  *'wise  says"  met  with  in  Ireland, 
struggling  to  obtain  currency  in  England,  and  after  passing 
from  lip  to  ear,  winding  their  w^ay  through  almost  every 
grade  of  society,  from  John  o'  Groat's  house  in  Scotland  to 
Land's  End  in  Cornw^all,  passing  off  very  often  in  the  shape 
of  "  new  discoveries."  In  listening  to  the  tales  of  oral 
reporters,  I  am  often  reminded  of  Mr.  Wesley's  remark  to 
the  celebrated  Beau  Nash,  who,  on  demanding  the  authority 
of  the  allegations  of  the  latter,  and  being  informed  that  he 
spake  from  "  common  report,"  very  significantly  and  pun- 
gently  retorted,  "  I  dare  not  judge  of  you  by  common 
report."  This  was  admirable,  and  must  have  been  felt  like 
the  keen  edge  of  a  razor.  Common  report,  in  fact,  is  rarely 
to  be  trusted  with  either  sentiment,  expression,  or  character. 
Many  an  honest  man,  on  the  testimony  of  such  a  witness, 
w^ould  grace  the  gallows.  The  immaculate  Saviour  of  man 
would  not  escape  censure  from  the  very  creatures  he  came 
to  save  ;  nor  would  the  reporters  themselves,  if  tried  at  the 
same  bar,  escape  serious  blame  in  other  matters,  at  the 
moment  they  are  laying  the  "flattering  unction"  to  their 
souls,  of  personal  innocence. 


448  APPENDIX. 

"  0,  wad  some  power  the  giftie  gie  us, 
To  see  oursels  as  others  see  us, 
It  wad  frae  monie  a  blunder  free  us ! " 

The  objection  to  Mr.  Caughey's  want  of  filial  affection, 
supported  as  was  supposed,  by  the  fact  of  his  leaving 
America  with  the  professed  design  of  visiting  his  mother  in 
Ireland,  and  of  being  months  in  that  island  without  ever 
once  going  near  her,  is  on  a  par  with  most  of  the  others  ;  for 
the  truth  is,  that  his  mother  resided  in  America,  and  died 
there  before  he  quitted  the  shores  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  As 
to  the  members  neglectir^g  their  classes  during  his  ministra- 
tions, matter  of  fact  is  against  the  charge.  On  the  testimony 
of  the  leaders,  not  only  do  the  new  members  meet  regularly, 
but  the  old  ones  are  improved  in  their  attention  to  the  duty. 
But  if  even  this  were  not  the  case,  I  cannot  conceive  why 
the  blame  should  rest  so  heavily  upon  Mr.  Caughey,  since 
his  exhortations  are  so  pointed  and  frequent  on  the  subject 

—  urging  the  whole  society  to  be  punctual  in  attendance  on 
this  excellent,  prudential  ordinance.  In  all  other  matters 
of  moment,  he  is,  as  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge,  a  genuine 
Wesley  an,  supporting  his  positions  with  an  apparent  enthusi- 
astic appeal  to  the  writings  of  Mr.  Wesley.  But,  to  the 
points  in  question. 

You  ask  —  not  because  you  are  disposed  to  believe  it,  but 
because  you  have  heard  it  —  "  Is  not  Mr.  Caughey  open  to 
the  charge  of  vanity,  in  so  often  quoting  himself —  appeal- 
ing to  his  experience  and  observations  ?  '^  The  charge  may 
unquestionably  be  preferred,  but  the  proof  may  not  be  quite 
so  easily  established.  Are  the  persons,  it  may  be  demanded, 
who  prefer  it,  entitled  to  respect,  or  remarkable  for  humiUty 
themselves  ?  or  rather,  are  they  not  seeking  for  an  apology 
for  their  own  vacancy  and  inexperience  in  the  things  of  God 

—  habitually  shrinking  from  the  scriptural  practice  of  declar- 


APPENDIX.  449 

ing  the  work  of  the  Spirit  to  others  ?  In  the  Epistles  of  the 
Apostles,  and  especially  those  of  St.  Paul,  we  do  not  only 
find  allusions,  but  lengthened  accounts  of  personal  experi- 
ence, faith,  and  practice.  These,  of  course,  on  the  same 
principle,  are  subject  to  the  same  charge.  Nor  is  the 
venerable  Wesley  less  so,  in  giving  his  experience  in  print 
to  the  world,  in  his  published  Journals,  during  his  life.  Such 
an  objection,  if  fairly  followed  out,  will  lead  to  the  subversion, 
not  only  of  love-feasts,  but  class  and  band-meetings.  The 
royal  Psalmist  was  not  ashamed  of  giving  a  general  invi- 
tation to  such  as  were  disposed  to  accept  it,  to  come  and 
listen  to  him,  while  declaring  what  God  had  done  for  his 
soul :  nor  are  the  preachers  backward  in  employing  his 
example  as  an  argument,  in  urging  the  members  of  society 
to  speak,  when  timidity,  modesty,  or  other  conflicting  feel- 
ings produce  a  temporary  pause  on  the  subject  of  personal 
experience  in  a  large  assembly.  What !  are  we  to  urge 
others  to  speak,  and  to  remain  silent  ourselves  ?  Are  we  to 
have  ordinances  estabhshed  among  us  for  the  express  purpose 
of  coming  at  each  other's  experience,  and  of  aiding  that 
experience  when  we  have  arrived  at  the  desired  knowledge, 
and  to  remain  mute  as  Christian  teachers  ?  Are  we  to  hear 
the  experience  of  others,  and  are  they  not  to  be  privileged 
with  ours  ?  Is  the  shepherd  to  know  where  and  how  the 
flock  are  feeding,  and  are  they  to  remain  ignorant  of  the 
fact  where  and  how  he  himself  is  living  ?  His  own  experi- 
ence, if  good,  can  do  them  no  harm ;  if  bad,  or  meagre, 
there  is  a  reason  for  its  concealment.  If  experience  is  only 
to  be  shown  in  practice,  there  is  at  once  an  end  of  the 
fellowship  of  saints.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  too,  what,  in 
such  case,  becomes  of  the  pulpit  and  the  press.  The 
Wesleyans  assume  it  as  a  fact,  that  their  ministers  are  not 
of  that  class  of  public  teachers  who  deal  in  unfelt  truths. 
38* 


450  APPENDIX. 

This  being  the  case,  why  should  a  man,  who  has  a  right  to 
the  advantage  of  that  opinion  on  the  part  of  the  people,  be 
subject  to  the  charge  of  vanity  on  letting  it  out  to  them 
that  such  and  such  statements  are  the  result  of  his  own 
experience  and  observation  ?  Is  a  man  to  make  use  of  his 
intellect,  his  eyes,  and  his  ears,  and  to  give  the  result  of  his 
observations  to  the  world  on  all  that  comes  under  his  notice, 
save  his  own  experience  as  a  Christian  minister  ?  Is  all  to 
be  kept  sacredly  boxed  up  in  his  soul  till  he  dies  —  till  his 
biographer,  should  he  have  one,  is  pleased  to  let  out  the 
secret  to  the  public  ?  Are  politicians,  philosophers,  agricul- 
turists, chemists,  in  short,  all  classes  of  experimentalists, 
to  publish  the  result  of  their  experience  and  operations 
to  the  wide  world,  and  is  a  Christian  minister  not  to  be 
allowed  to  tell  his  still  more  important  tale  to,  say  a  thou- 
sand professing  Christians,  enclosed  within  the  walls  of  God's 
house,  where  his  theme  is  not  only  suited  to  the  place,  but 
where  he  meets  with  the  hearty  response  of  the  one  half  of 
his  auditory,  and  where  the  other  half  ought  to  be  ashamed 
of  themselves,  either  because  of  their  stunted  growth  in  the 
divine  life  or  want  of  relish  for  divine  things  ?  I  need  not 
tell  you,  that  a  minister  has  to  think,  hear,  read,  see,  and 
feel  for  others  than  himself;  and  is  not  unfrequently  obliged, 
like  the  Apostle  Paul,  to  become  "  a  fool,"  even  in  matters 
of  experience,  and  at  the  hazard  of  being  charged  with  the 
pride  of  boasting,  for  the  sake  of  others,  that  the  grace 
of  God  may  be  magnified  in  him.  As  it  regards  myself,  I 
confess  that  my  confidence  is  generally  strengthened,  when, 
in  reading  a  work,  or  listening  to  a  narrative,  I  find  the 
author  or  the  speaker  able  to  add,  "I  heard  —  I  saw  — 
I  felt  it."  In  such  case,  I  find  myself  at  the  spring-head ; 
and  if  there  is  judgment  combined  with  suicerity  and  good 
general   character  for   truthfulness,  I   consider  myself  as 


APPENDIX.  451 

indebted  to  the  individual  for  thus  stooping  to  confirm  my 
faith  in  this  particular  way.  I  say  stooping,  for  all  the 
pride  of  human  nature  will  rise  up  in  rebellion  against  it. 
Every  Christian  minister  is  bound  to  go  before  his  flock,  not 
only  in  doctrine  and  practice,  but  in  experience ;  and  those 
are  the  most  apt  to  conceal  their  religion,  who  have  the  least 
to  make  known.  It  would  be  well  if,  on  this  subject,  minis- 
ters were  a  little  more  communicative.  It  would  preserve 
them  from  many  improprieties,  as  the  people  would  then 
have  a  check  upon  them  in  social  life,  by  being  able,  as  in 
the  case  of  "  The  Pulpit  and  the  Reading  Desk,"  to  confront 
the  preacher  with  the  man.  Do  not  mistake  me.  I  am  not 
contending  for  a  constant  exhibition  of  personal  experience, 
and  of  such  incidents  and  providences  as  have  come  under 
our  own  notice,  or  with  which  we  may  have  been  either 
immediately  or  remotely  connected ;  but  there  is  a  differ- 
ence between  a  little,  and  none  at  all ;  between  a  completely 
sealed  fountain,  and  a  few  drops ;  and  a  man  has  no  more 
occasion  to  be  ashamed  of  his  Christian  experience,  than  he 
has  to  be  ashamed  of  its  divine  author — Jesus  Christ.  It 
is  doubtful  whether,  in  such  case,  we  are  not  shrinking  from 
the  cross,  and  whether  such  backwardness  is  not  traceable 
to  the  pride  and  camaHty  of  the  human  heart. 

The  other  question  —  "  Does  not  Mr.  Caughey  pretend  to 
something  like  immediate  inspiration,  in  reference  to  char- 
acter?"  &c. — receives  an  answer  in  his  mode  of  address, 
and  generally  lies  in  the  simple,  but  effective  use  of  a  single 
word  —  the  pronoun ;  emplojdng  the  singular  instead  of  the 
plui-al,  like  the  old  prophet,  "Thou — thou — thou  art  the 
man ! "  Take  a  case  —  and  one  will  illustrate  many  more  — 
in  a  congregation  of  mixed  characters,  sinners  of  every 
description,  comprising  from  twelve  hundred  to  two  thousand 
persons ;  the   preacher  asserts,   "  There  is  a  man  in  the 


462  APPENDIX. 

gallery  who  has  grieved  the  Spirit  of  God  —  he  knows  it 
—  he  feels  it;  to  him,  I  am  speaking,"  &c.,  ,&;c.  Would 
he  be  wide  of  the  mark  ?  Is  there  one  who  has  not  ?  It 
does  not  require  the  vision  of  a  seer,  to  authorize  a  man  to 
make  this  statement,  or  to  foretell  how  it  will  be  taken  by 
some  and  interpreted  by  others.  A  person  takes  it  home 
to  himself,  and  the  preacher  is  published  as  a  discerner  of 
spirits !  Or,  we  may  advert  to  persons  in  debt,  and  unwil- 
ling to  pay ;  availing  themselves  of  various  discreditable 
shifts  and  excuses  to  put  off  the  day  of  reckoning.  How 
many  are  there  of  these  in  a  large  assembly,  owing  from 
one  to  ten,  twenty,  thirty,  forty,  fifty  pounds,  and  even 
more,  with  almost  every  figure  between  ?  Let  the  minister 
state,  "  There  is  a  man  in  this  congregation  indebted  to 
another,  (say  a  certain  sum ; )  he  might  have  paid  him  but 
has  not:  till  that  specific  sum  is  paid,  the  man  has  no  right 
to  expect  mercy  at  the  hand  of  God,"  &c.  Would  a 
personal  appeal  be  out  of  place  here  ?  Could  a  minister  fire 
a  shot  of  this  kind  among  so  many  crows,  without  hitting 
and  wounding  some  ?  Any  man  acquainted  with  human 
nature,  in  all  its  dishonesty  and  selfishness,  and  with  the 
state  of  society,  in  its  wants,  its  commerce,  its  borrowing 
and  lending,  its  trusting,  swindling,  over-reaching,  its  day- 
books and  legers,  may  select  a  hundred  cases,  in  which 
hundreds  are  implicated,  and  feel  in  silence  such  personal 
and  pointed  appeals ;  but  there  is  only  one,  perhaps,  who 
yields  to  the  blow,  and  has  simplicity  enough  to  publish  the 
effect  of  the  appeal  to  the  Avorld,  and  honesty  enough  to  pay 
his  debts,  at  the  bidding  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  the 
ministry  of  the  word.  On  this  principle,  every  faithful 
minister  is  a  seer ;  and  it  is  not  uncommon  for  persons  to 
charge  others  with  having  informed  the  preacher  of  some 
facts  relative  to  their  personal  history.     The  thoughts  of 


APPENDIX.  453 

their  hearts  are  made  manifest  to  themselves  by  the  ministry, 
in  the  first  instance,  and  then  by  themselves  to  others,  in 
the  next. 

As  to  the  question,  "Is  it  correct  that  the  converts  m 
these  revivals  disappear  -with  the  instrument  of  them  ? " 

1.  I  should  like  an  answer  to  some  other  questions,  before 
that  is  attended  to ;  and  the  querist  will  allow  me  to  ask,  in 
return,  Is  it  a  fact,  that  all  who  profess  to  receive  good 
relinquish  their  hold  of  religion,  and  go  back  into  the  world? 

2.  Is  it  to  be  admitted  that,  if  they  are  not  found  in  one 
society,  they  are  not,  therefore,  to  be  found  in  another ;  if 
not  in  one  circuit  not,  therefore  in  another ;  if  not  among 
the  Wesleyans,  not  in  other  rehgious  communities  ?  "Who 
among  the  objectors  will  take  the  credit  of  possessing  the 
knowledge  necessary,  both  for  extent  and  accuracy,  to 
answer  a  question  of  this  nature  ?  But,  3.  Are  not  scores 
of  persons  to  be  found,  in  different  places,  who  in  these 
revivals  were  brought  under  serious  impressions,  and  who, 
to  the  present  moment,  have  maintained  as  creditable  a 
Christian  profession  as  those  who  can  boast  of  a  less  turbu- 
lent, though  perhaps  a  much  slower  process  ?  4.  If  ten 
are  saved  to  God  and  society  out  of  every  hundred,  is  not  a 
revival  to  be  hailed  with  joy  ?  There  are  ministers  —  I  do 
not  say  Wesleyans — w^ho  pass  away  from  among  men  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  a  single  reformation ;  omitting  every- 
thing in  the  shape  of  conversion  having  ever  been  effected 
by  their  ministry  —  a  ministry,  perhaps,  of  thirty  or  forty 
years'  continuance !  5.  Should  it,  however,  even  be  the  fact 
— which  is  not  admitted — that  the  converts  in  these  revivals 
do  not  stand,  —  what  then?  Are  we,  in  consequence  of 
this,  to  assume  it  as  a  further  fact,  that  the  work  was  not 
genume  ?  Would  not  such  assumption  operate  against  any 
work  being  real  in  the  backshder,  in  any  other  given  case, 
from  a  David  to  a  Peter,  with  every  grade  between,  and 


454  APPENDIX. 

also  lead  fo  the  doctrine  of  "  Once  in  grace,  always  in 
grace  ? "  For  this,  no  thorough  Wesleyan  will  contend. 
"A  desire  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,"  is  as  genuine  a 
work  of  God,  in  its  degree,  and  for  the  time  being,  (and,  as 
such,  is  recognized,  by  being  made  the  condition  of  admis- 
sion to  church  membership,)  as  true  repentance,  and  will 
lead  to  the  latter,  to  Christ,  and  to  heaven,  if  not  checked. 
Revivals,  generally  speaking,  are  beginnings ;  and  without 
them,  there  can  be  no  glorious  finish.  We  must  take  the 
beginning  on  our  way  to  the  end.  The  best  of  seed  may  be 
sown,  and  yet  fail,  when  no  fault  is  to  be  found  with  either 
the  grain,  or  the  husbandman  that  has  scattered  it ;  the  soil, 
the  season,  and  a  hundred  other  things  have  to  be  taken 
into  the  account.  I  go  further,  and  maintain  that  no  man 
is  accountable,  unless  it  be  through  neglect,  or  the  propaga- 
tion of  error,  for  the  stability  and  standing  of  his  converts ; 
no  more  than  the  husbandman,  just  referred  to,  after  having 
sown  good  seed  in  his  field,  and  seen  it  spring  up,  is  respon- 
sible for  "  the  full  corn  in  the  ear,"  —  is  bound,  in  short,  to 
protect  it  from  mildew,  the  birds  of  the  air,  &c.,  and  to 
insure  a  succession  of  fruitful  seasons;  no  more  than  a 
parent  is  responsible  for  the  good  behavior  of  his  child, 
during  his  absence,  or  can  be  expected  to  secure  steadfast- 
ness in  every  case  through  a  prolonged  life.  And  this 
brings  me  to  another  point.  If  the  minister,  who  is  the 
honored  instrument  of  a  revival  of  the  work  of  God,  mani- 
fests nothing  but  ardent  zeal,  preaches  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  and  burns  with  pure  love  to  God  and  man  —  while  in 
the  midst  of  it  is  obliged  to  remove  to  another  place,  where 
the  same  spirit  is  evinced,  the  same  plans  are  adopted,  the 
same  unwearied  diligence  is  observed,  and  the  same  signs 
follow,  —  if  this,  I  say,  were  to  be  the  case,  it  is  but 
reasonable  to  believe,  and  charitable  to  hope,  that  had  he 
continued,  being  the  same  in  spirit  and  practice,  that  the 


APPENDIX.  455 

work  also  would  have  continued  —  new  converts  being  added, 
and  those  of  an  earlier  date  not  only  preserved  but  strength- 
ened. You  will  perceive  by  this  remark,  if  not  where  I  am, 
at  least  where  I  wish  to  be.  When  a  child  sickens,  or 
becomes  wayward,  the  fault,  perhaps,  is  as  much  in  the 
nurse  and  the  tutor,  as  in  the  parent.  Apply  this,  not  only 
to  Mr.  Caughey  —  for  why  should  he  stand  alone  as  a  mark 
to  be  shot  at  ?  —  but  to  zealous  itinerant  ministers  generally. 
When  a  man  has  been  honored  of  God  in  the  conversion  of 
others,  he  is  compelled,  agreeably  to  the  economy  of  Meth- 
odism, to  leave  his  converts  in  the  hands  of  others :  but 
unless  there  is  the  same  anxious  care  in  nursing,  as  in  bring- 
ing them  at  first  to  God ;  to  keep,  as  to  lay  hold,  no  wonder 
that  there  should  be  a  falling  away.  Now,  without  calling 
in  question  either  the  piety  or  the  good  sense  of  the  breth- 
ren, it  is  well  known  that,  in  the  present  day,  as  in  apostolic 
times,  "there  are  diversities  of  gifts;"  yes,  and  of  views 
and  feehngs  too,  or  why  so  many  clashing  opinions  on  the 
subject  of  these  revivals  ?  This  being  admitted,  suppose  a 
preacher  to  enter  into  the  labors  of  one  of  our  revivalists, 
who,  constitutionally,  is  disinclined  to  every  thing  like  agita- 
tion, noise,  fermentation,  and  what  not,  and  who,  from  a 
certain  course  of  training,  some  pecuhar  views,  associations, 
or  prepossessions,  has  been  led  to  express  his  disaflfection,  is 
it  at  all  likely  that  the  new  converts  will  profit  under  the 
ministry  of  such  a  man,  or  even  respect  him,  to  the  extent 
in  which  they  would  have  improved  under  another  of  the 
same  spirit  and  views  with  the  man  under  whose  ministry 
they  were  roused  to  a  sense  of  their  danger  ?  I  have  no 
wish  here  to  encourage  fastidiousness :  but  we  know  enough 
of  human  nature  to  assure  us  of  its  hkes  and  dislikes,  and 
somewhat  too  much  of  the  Wesleyan  body  not  to  feel  pained 
at  the  difference  which  even  older  members  make  between 
prejiphers  on  the  gapie  circuit,  appointed  by  the  Conference, 


456  APPENDIX. 

one  for  Paul  and  another  for  Apollos.  If  the  old  are  often 
fickle  to  a  fault,  can  we  expect  the  young  to  walk  without 
halting  ?  Special  meetings,  special  nursing,  special  training, 
will  be  found  as  necessary  after,  as  during  a  revival.  A 
revival  must  be  carried  on,  as  well  as  begun.  We  have  not 
done  with  it  when  the  tumult  subsides,  when  the  effervescence 
goes  off,  when  the  groans  of  penitents  die  on  the  ear.  Let 
those  then,  in  the  first  place,  cease  to  rail  against  revivals, 
who  make  no  extra  effort  to  preserve  the  field  that  has  been 
won.  The  excellent  men  on  the  York  circuit,  Messrs.  Wal- 
ton, Cheetham,  Curnock,  and  Radcliffe,  are  anxiously  labor- 
ing, by  extra  efforts,  to  preserve  to  the  church,  in  the  revival 
here,  the  souls  that  have  been  brought  out  of  the  world. 
Secondly,  let  no  Wesleyan  be  forward  to  speak  against,  what 
some  persons  are  pleased  to  designate,  "  noisy  meetings,"  till 
he  is  satisfied  that  Mr.  Wesley  was  in  the  wrong  in  first  sanc- 
tioning them  —  the  meetings  themselves  having  been  the 
starting  point  of  experimental  religion  in  Methodism.  But  I 
forbear  here,  as  you  are  acquainted  with  my  views  of  such 
meetmgs,  in  the  small  tract  on  the  "  Order  of  God,"  ap- 
pended to  the  "Village  Blacksmith."  Thirdly,  least  of  all 
—  and  an  appeal  is  here  made  to  ministers  belonging  to  every 
religious  community —  ought  that  man  to  impugn  the  labors 
of  others  in  revivals,  who  rarely,  if  ever,  in  his  ordinary  work, 
either  sees  or  hears  tell  of  any  fruit  of  his  own  ministry  ? 
Non-usefulness  will  do  very  well  to  pair  with  the  supposed 
blasted  fruit  of  others. 

Excuse  haste.  I  have  no  time  to  enter  upon  other  points 
noticed  by  you,  though  persuaded  that  they  are  all  capable 
of  satisfactory  solutions.  The  writer  to  whom  you  refer  is 
remarkable  for  perspicuity,  research,  force,  and  occasional 
grace  J  but  he  is  not  sufiiciently  evangelical  in  his  sentiments, 
Ever  yours  most  truly, 

James  Everett, 


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